It wasn’t dramatic, difficult, or even that memorable. And if it wasn’t for Claudio Bravo tying himself up on Alexei Sanchez’s cross, Neymar would still be scoreless in La Liga. But goals come in all different forms, and while he’s sure to score many beautiful goals throughout his Barcelona career, this was not one of them. This would have been put home by almost any attacker in the world.
Regardless, Neymar is now on the scoresheet in the Primera Division, with the final movement on today’s score beginning to the right of goal, outside Real Sociedad’s penalty area. Sanchez moves wide of La Real left back Alberto De La Bella, avoids helping left winger Antoine Griexmann, and cuts a ball into the six-yard box. Bravo appears to misread the pass, doesn’t come out to cut it off, allowing Neymar to finish into an empty net for the fifth minute goal.
Barcelona has since gone up 3-0, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets giving the reigning Spanish champions a decisive lead after 23 minutes.
Though Neymar had recorded five assists in his eight all-competition appearances, he’s only found net one other time in his Barcelona career. His headed goal late in the first game of the Spanish Supercopa against Atlético Madrid held up through a scoreless second leg, proving the decisive score in Barcelona’s 1-1, away goals win.
