Barca 1-0 Real Sociedad: Messi pen helps Catalans go La Liga top as VAR shines

Just as it looked like Barcelona were going to follow up the Clasico with more frustration, a Lionel Messi spot-kick saw off Real Sociedad.

Lionel Messi scored a late penalty as Barcelona shook off a post-Clasico hangover and edged to a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Having lost first place in their defeat to rivals Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu six days ago, Barca took the chance to return to the summit, albeit in an unconvincing Camp Nou victory on Saturday.

Messi came into the contest having failed to score in six of his last seven games but he converted the crucial spot-kick with nine minutes remaining after a VAR review adjudged Robin Le Normand had handled a left-wing cross.