A draw before the break

Real Sociedad had to settle for a point in this afternoon’s match in Vallecas. After taking the lead and then seeing the score turned around, a goal from youngster Mariezkurrena secured a hard-fought draw.

After a start with some dominance but chances for both teams, the txuri-urdin took the lead from a set-piece. Sergio Gómez delivered the ball from the corner, and Zubimendi, with a perfect volley, beat Batalla to put Imanol’s side ahead. Rayo responded with a shot from Trejo that forced Remiro to send the ball out for a corner. Not much else happened in the first half, except for a good strike from Sergio that the home goalkeeper managed to deflect with his fingertips.

The hosts came out strong in the second half, and Álvaro forced Remiro into a low save. Before the 60-minute mark, the Vallecas side capitalized on their opportunity to equalize through Trejo, who benefited from a slip by Zubimendi. Real Sociedad reacted well to the goal and had a clear chance to regain the lead, but Kubo sent his right-footed shot over the bar after breaking into the area. Shortly after, however, Pedro Díaz struck from distance to turn the game around.

The txuri urdin didn’t give up and managed to equalize thanks to Mariezkurrena. The academy player found the net after a defensive clearance following a cross from Kubo. In the final minutes, the txuri-urdin had a chance to snatch the win with another left-footed shot from Mariezkurrena, but this time Batalla made the save to keep it out.

A draw that doesn’t allow Real Sociedad to climb up the table as they would have hoped before the break. Now it’s time to recharge, as the team is running on empty. We are Real.

Match sheet:

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Andrei, Aridane, Lejeune, Chavarría, Pedro Díaz (Espino, min.76), Pathe Ciss (Valentín, min.76), Álvaro (cap), De Frutos (Embarba, min.76), Guardiola (Eto’o, min.55) and Trejo (Unai López, min.62).

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aritz (cap), Javi López (Aihen, min.46), Zubimendi, Olasagasti (Mariezkurrena, min.76), Sergio Gómez (Marín, min. 91), Barrene (Turrientes, min.63), Take and Óskarsson (Oyarzabal, min.63).

Goals: 0-1: Zubimendi, min.20. 1-1: Trejo, min.58. 2-1: Pedro Díaz, min.72. 2-2: Mariezkurrena, min.77.

Referee: Muñiz Ruiz. Booked Guardiola, Lejeune and Pacha for Rayo Vallecano and Javi López and Barrene for Real Sociedad.