• BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 8. Captain for the game, but beaten by Isak’s fifth-minute equaliser. Fine stop from Moreno on 26 and an even better one from David Silva on 44. Beaten by a 53rd minute offside effort. The Merino/Silva combination meant he had to stay alert. Icon Sport
    BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 8. Captain for the game, but beaten by Isak’s fifth-minute equaliser. Fine stop from Moreno on 26 and an even better one from David Silva on 44. Beaten by a 53rd minute offside effort. The Merino/Silva combination meant he had to stay alert. Icon Sport
  • Ronald Araujo 6. The centre-back played right-back again, providing width to the attack. Nowhere near Moreno amid confusion in the Barça defence. Booked after 50 minutes for pulling a player back. Icon Sport
    Ronald Araujo 6. The centre-back played right-back again, providing width to the attack. Nowhere near Moreno amid confusion in the Barça defence. Booked after 50 minutes for pulling a player back. Icon Sport
  • Andreas Christensen 8. Calm, collected and already looking like a smart signing for Barca. Getty Images
    Andreas Christensen 8. Calm, collected and already looking like a smart signing for Barca. Getty Images
  • Eric Garcia 7. Tried but couldn’t get close enough to Isak for La Real’s opener, but calmed as his side recorded a fine win. Icon Sport
    Eric Garcia 7. Tried but couldn’t get close enough to Isak for La Real’s opener, but calmed as his side recorded a fine win. Icon Sport
  • Alejandro Balde 8. The 18-year-old full-back charged forward over 100 metres in the first minute and set up Lewandowski for the opener. Showed Jordi Alba that there’s serious competition. AP Photo
    Alejandro Balde 8. The 18-year-old full-back charged forward over 100 metres in the first minute and set up Lewandowski for the opener. Showed Jordi Alba that there’s serious competition. AP Photo
  • Gavi 6. Got into advanced positions, but Barcelona only had one shot on target in the first half. Moved the ball quickly and accurately, like many of his teammates. Involved in the third with a step over before Lewandowksi’s finish. Getty Images
    Gavi 6. Got into advanced positions, but Barcelona only had one shot on target in the first half. Moved the ball quickly and accurately, like many of his teammates. Involved in the third with a step over before Lewandowksi’s finish. Getty Images
  • Pedri 9. Led counter attacks, his speed a danger. Beautiful ball to Gavi on 44, but his drive and ability to control the game – and his opposite David Silva must also be credited for doing the same – showed why he’s so highly rated. Getty Images
    Pedri 9. Led counter attacks, his speed a danger. Beautiful ball to Gavi on 44, but his drive and ability to control the game – and his opposite David Silva must also be credited for doing the same – showed why he’s so highly rated. Getty Images
  • Frenkie de Jong 6. Won the ball which led to the attack for the opening goal, but then lost the ball which led to the equaliser four minutes later. A lively start in a box-to-box first half for a man who continues to be linked with a move away. Getty Images
    Frenkie de Jong 6. Won the ball which led to the attack for the opening goal, but then lost the ball which led to the equaliser four minutes later. A lively start in a box-to-box first half for a man who continues to be linked with a move away. Getty Images
  • Ousmane Dembele 8. Was fortunate to get away with elbowing an opponent after 12 minutes. Set up Torres on 23, then made a superb finish to put his side ahead after 65 minutes. Getty Images
    Ousmane Dembele 8. Was fortunate to get away with elbowing an opponent after 12 minutes. Set up Torres on 23, then made a superb finish to put his side ahead after 65 minutes. Getty Images
  • Robert Lewandowski 9. Scored his first goal in La Liga, sweeping in a Balde cross to finish a counter attack after 46 seconds. Chances thereafter – a first half header, a shot after bringing the ball down on 64, then made a straightforward finish to make it 3-1 after 68. Assisted the fourth with a backheel for Fati. Looked like the world class striker that he is. On his 34th birthday, too. Getty Images
    Robert Lewandowski 9. Scored his first goal in La Liga, sweeping in a Balde cross to finish a counter attack after 46 seconds. Chances thereafter – a first half header, a shot after bringing the ball down on 64, then made a straightforward finish to make it 3-1 after 68. Assisted the fourth with a backheel for Fati. Looked like the world class striker that he is. On his 34th birthday, too. Getty Images
  • Ferran Torres 6. Returned to the line up and worked quickly to get a shot wide after 23. Came close to adding a second against the side with the third best defence in La Liga last season. Getty Images
    Ferran Torres 6. Returned to the line up and worked quickly to get a shot wide after 23. Came close to adding a second against the side with the third best defence in La Liga last season. Getty Images
  • SUBS: Raphinha 7. On for Balde after 63 and involved in the set up for the third and swept the ball towards Lewandowski for the fourth. EPA
    SUBS: Raphinha 7. On for Balde after 63 and involved in the set up for the third and swept the ball towards Lewandowski for the fourth. EPA
  • Ansu Fati 9. On for Torres on 64 and what an impact. Outstanding backheel to set up Dembele for the second on 66, then set up Lewandowski for the third on 69. Scored himself, a calm finish from a tight angle to make it 4-1. Huge talent who has been missed – he was out for ten months last season. Getty Images
    Ansu Fati 9. On for Torres on 64 and what an impact. Outstanding backheel to set up Dembele for the second on 66, then set up Lewandowski for the third on 69. Scored himself, a calm finish from a tight angle to make it 4-1. Huge talent who has been missed – he was out for ten months last season. Getty Images
  • Sergi Roberto NA. On for De Jong after 84. Getty Images
    Sergi Roberto NA. On for De Jong after 84. Getty Images
  • Franck Kessie NA. On for Gavi after 84. AFP
    Franck Kessie NA. On for Gavi after 84. AFP

Barcelona ratings vs Real Sociedad: Lewandowski 9, Dembele 8, Fati 9


Andy Mitten
  • English
  • Arabic

Robert Lewandowski scored a brace as Barcelona cruised to a 4-1 victory at Real Sociedad on Sunday, their first win of the new La Liga season.

Spanish teenage sensation Ansu Fati, who has been struggling to recover after a series of knee surgeries in the last two years, came off the bench in the second half and took charge of the proceedings with two assists and a goal.

Poland striker Lewandowski opened the scoring in the first minute of the game, rifling in a shot after a great pass from Alejandro Balde inside the penalty area.

But Alexander Isak equalised five minutes later after latching onto a pass from David Silva.

Barca struggled to break the deadlock until coach Xavi sent on Raphinha and Fati in the 64th minute, with both proving crucial to Barca's success.

First, Fati assisted Ousmane Dembele with a brilliant heel pass after a fine piece of individual play from Raphinha.

Than Fati finished a beautiful team effort to assist Lewandowski to the third.

The Polish striker returned the favour 10 minutes later, enabling 19-year-old Fati to score Barca's fourth to wrap up the points.

Updated: August 22, 2022, 3:11 AM