Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to maintain their push for the La Liga title.
Alvaro Odriozola gave Sociedad the lead in the first half, but goals from Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski turned the match in favour of the home side.
Sociedad strike first
Despite Barcelona dominating possession early, the visitors went ahead when Ander Barrenetxea’s cross was converted by Odriozola with an outstretched foot.
Barcelona responded just before halftime through Jules Kounde, who scored with a header from Marcus Rashford’s corner.
Lewandowski secures win
The decisive moment came in the 60th minute when substitute Lamine Yamal created space to set up Lewandowski, who finished to make it 2-1.
The result means Barcelona remain in contention at the top of La Liga and could return to first place depending on other results.
Real Sociedad defeated Manchester United 1-0 in their Europa League Group E opener on Thursday, following an impeccably observed tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Before kickoff, Old Trafford fell silent to honor Her Majesty, who died earlier that day at the age of 96, and players from both teams wore black armbands in tribute to the monarch.
According to Live Score, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was making his second start of the season, came close on several occasions for the hosts, who had only three shots on target throughout the game.
Mendez slotted home from 12 yards after substitute Lisandro Martinez had handled in the area, snapping the Red Devils’ four-game winning streak.
United were clearly the better team in the first 30 minutes, but they failed to create any clear opportunities.
Ronaldo thought he had given his side the lead 10 minutes before the interval, but his powerful header was ruled out after he had strayed into an offside position.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese superstar inexplicably headed wide with the goal at his mercy immediately after the restart, before lashing just over from outside the penalty area.
La Real went ahead in the 58th minute when Mendez powered home from the spot after David Silva’s shot had struck Martinez’s arm.
Casemiro
Erik ten Hag brought on Bruno Fernandes at half-time, and Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho in the second half, but United were unable to find a way past the visitors’ stubborn backline in the closing stages.
After defeating FC Midtjylland in February 2016, United have not lost at home in 19 Europa League games, according to Live Score.
At the sixth attempt, La Real achieved their first victory in Europe over English opposition.
On Sunday, both teams resume domestic play with La Real traveling to Getafe in LaLiga and United playing away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
