Barcelona fight back from two goals down to end Anoeta curse against Real Sociedad

Luis Suarez bagged a brace as Barcelona fought back from two goals down to claim a momentous 4-2 win over Real Sociedad, their first victory at the Anoeta since May 2007.

The San Sebastian venue has become the Catalans’ bogey ground over the past decade and their misfortune in northern Spain looked set to continue when Willian Jose and Juanmi gave the home side a 2-0 lead after 34 minutes.

It was a lead that Sociedad deserved, with their high press forcing Barcelona into mistakes inside their own half. But Paulinho gave Ernesto Valverde’s side a foothold before the break, bundling home a cross from Suarez.

From there, Barcelona moved into gear, with Suarez lobbing Geronimo Rulli to restore parity just five minutes into the second half. The Uruguayan added another to give his side the lead, with Lionel Messi also looping a freekick from distance into the back of the net as Barca showed what they are made of.

Was Andre Gomes put in the shop window tonight? It was somewhat surprising to see Andre Gomes in Barcelona’s starting lineup for such a crucial game considering how recent reports have claimed the Catalans are looking to sell the Portuguese midfielder this month. He did little to showcase his quality against Real Sociedad, with the game bypassing Gomes for the most part. So was Ernesto Valverde trying to put him in the shop window? Will Barca find a buyer?

Luis Suarez (Barcelona): Just a matter of weeks ago, questions were being asked of Suarez. Some pondered whether Valverde should drop the Uruguayan striker given his struggles. How he has bounced back. Suarez’s brace against Sociedad brought his tally to 10 goals in his last eight La Liga appearances, with his equaliser the highlight of the match. We’re still trying to work out how he shaped that lobbed finish over Rulli.

Real Sociedad: Rulli 5, Odriozola 6, Llorente 5, Navas 6, Zurutuza 6, Rodrigues 5, Illarramendi 7, Prieto 8, Canales 8, Juanmi 7, Jose 8. Subs: Januzaj 5, Oyarzabal 5, Zubeldia 5.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 7, Pique 5, Vermaelen 5, Alba 6, Paulinho 6, Busquets 5, Rakitic 6, Gomes 5, Suarez 8, Messi 8. Subs: Digne 5, Denis 3, Dembele 6.

11’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona: The hosts have a surprise opener! It was an exceptional cross from the right side from Prieto and Jose gets down low to head a finish in off the underside of the crossbar. Sociedad have the lead!

34’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-0 Barcelona: They've got a second goal! The Anoeta curse is real and alive! Juanmi gets in behind, takes down a pass and shoots. It picks up a deflection and flashes past Ter Stegen. 2-0 to Sociedad!

38’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-1 Barcelona: Barcelona have a foothold in this match! Suarez breaks the offside trap, squares a low pass for Paulinho, who just about squeezes a finish past Rulli from close range.

50’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-2 Barcelona: That's an astonishing goal from Suarez! Out of this world! Somehow, the Barcelona striker managed to lob a looped finish over Rulli from close range after being played through by Messi.

71’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-3 Barcelona: What a soft goal for Real Sociedad to concede! Rulli's chipped clear out is headed straight back through to Suarez, who makes no mistake in sweeping a finish past the goalkeeper.

85’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-4 Barcelona: And that will be that. Barcelona have come from two goals down and now lead 4-2! This time, it's Messi who finds the net with a looping freekick strike from distance. Rulli didn't move.

William Jose's opener ended Barcelona's run of 408 minutes without conceding a goal in Basque Country (in La Liga).

Luis Suarez has now scored 10 goals in his last eight La Liga appearances for Barcelona.