Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the season ended on Sunday with a shock 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in Liga F.
Barça started the campaign with 10 consecutive victories in all competitions, but that run came to an end in San Sebastian, where Edna Imade’s first-half penalty made the difference between the two teams.
Despite the defeat, Barça remains at the top of the championship, four points ahead of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad after nine matches.
With Ewa Pajor, Salma Paralluelo, Patri Guijarro and Kika Nazareth all injured, Barca’s small squad was always going to be tested against a La Real side who have made an excellent start to the season.
Coach Pere Romeu included several members of the B team among his 18-player squad for the trip north, which included six teenagers.
Sensing an opportunity, La Real took the lead in the first half when Imade converted from the spot, taking their league tally to seven this season.
It was only the second time Barca had conceded in Liga F during the current campaign.
Despite the absentees, Romeu still fielded a team including Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen, among other international stars, but Barça could not get going.
They managed just one shot on target throughout the match and their hopes of salvaging a point were dashed when a stoppage-time goal from Norwegian youngster Martine Fenger was ruled out for offside.
