Real Sociedad 3 - Barcelona 3

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Jauregi, Schürrer, Aranzábal; Xabi Alonso, Aranburu; Karpin, Nihat (Lee Chun Soo 84'), De Pedro; Kovacevic (De Paula 51'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Gabri, Puyol, Cocu, Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Motta; Quaresma (Luis Enrique 72'), Ronaldinho, Luis García (Overmars 65'); Saviola (Kluivert 65'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real: López Rekarte, Schürrer, De Pedro for Potillón, Kvarme, Gabilondo / Barça: Gabri, Xavi for Reiziger, Gerard.

Goals:
0-1. 33. Motta. Header over keeper from Ronaldinho free kick.
1-1. 56. Jauregi. Headed past keeper from right sided corner.
2-1. 58. De Pedro (penalty). After Motta fouled Schürrer in penalty area.
2-2. 70. Overmars. Cut in past López Rekarte and fired shot in off far post.
3-2. 75. Karpin. Got ahead of defender to head Aranzábal cross past keeper
3-3. 80. Gabri. Collected pass from Ronaldinho and shot past Westerveld.

Real Sociedad and Barcelona played out a thrilling 3-3 draw on Saturday night which left both sides (and some of the fans) exhausted. The game got off to a frantic pace, with both keepers in action early on, Víctor saving from Kovacevic and Westerveld stopping an effort from Saviola at the other end. Just after the half hour mark though the visitors took the lead, Ronaldinho, who had passed a late fitness test to play, finding the head of Motta with a long free kick for him to beat the Dutch keeper.

The Basques turned the scoreline around though in a three minute period in the second half, Jauregi starting things off heading home De Pedro's cross following a corner. And then referee Medina Cantalejo awarded a rigorous penalty after Motta was spotted holding on to Schürrer's shirt, De Pedro converting the kick to put his side in front.

Rijkaard decided to turn to Overmars, who was back in the squad after being left in the cold for the last fortnight. The Dutch winger obviously wanted to prove to his manager that their bust up during the week was behind them, and the first time he got the ball he darted in from the wing and crashed a shot past Westerveld and into the net off the far post.

A few minutes later though, Real seemed to have won it when Karpin headed them back into the lead from Aranzábal's cross, and then Motta got himself sent off in silly fashion after protesting long enough to earn himself two yellow cards in succession. But Barça persevered, and with ten minutes to go Ronaldinho found Gabri on the right for him to fool Westerveld (and probably himself) with a shot inside the near post with the keeper out of position expecting a cross. It was enough to maintain Barça's unbeaten away record and keep them in fifth spot.