Barça, approved in the first game without Messi 1:52
(Reuters) -
FC Barcelona began their era without Lionel Messi on Sunday with a 4-2 home win over Real Sociedad in their first La Liga game of the season.
A header from Gerard Piqué gave the Catalans the advantage in the 19th minute to the delight of the 20,000 fans who returned to the Camp Nou for the first time in 17 months, and Martin Braithwaite scored in both halves to extend the lead.
Gerard Piqué celebrates with Sergio Busquets after scoring during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 15, 2021. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO / AFP via Getty Images)
Real Sociedad appeared to be out of the game, but substitute Julen Lobete put them back in the fray in the 82nd minute and striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored an impressive free kick moments later, putting the hosts on edge.
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However, Sergi Roberto scored in overtime for the hosts and secured the points in Barca's first game without their all-time top scorer, Messi, who joined Paris St Germain last week after 21 years with the club. Spanish.
Sergi Roberto celebrates his goal (Photo by JOSEP LAGO / AFP via Getty Images)
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