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Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona: Below-par champions lose more ground on Real Madrid

Luis Enrique's side were not at their best at Anoeta and had Lionel Messi to thank for an equalising goal that at least allowed them to avoid defeat on Sunday evening

Lionel Messi rescued a point for below-par Barcelona as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday.

The Argentina star scored his 19th goal of the season just before the hour mark to cancel out Willian Jose's header, but a largely poor performance from the champions meant their nine-year wait for a win at Anoeta goes on.

Barca had lost on their last four league visits to San Sebastian and that record looked to be playing on their minds in a nervous and deeply disjointed first-half display in which they failed to register a shot until the 41st minute.