A point that stings

Real Sociedad picked up a bittersweet point in the second matchday of the UEFA Europa League, played this afternoon in Leuven. Turrientes' goal at the start of the second half was not enough, as Saint-Gilloise struck a late equaliser deep into the 90th minute.

The match opened with several dangerous moments from the home side, the clearest of which came from a Sylla header from a free-kick that struck the post. Around the twenty-minute mark, first Oyarzabal and then Zubeldia went close to breaking the deadlock, with the latter's effort going narrowly over the bar. The closing stages of the first half offered little in the way of clear chances and the sides went in level at the break.

The second half could not have started better. Sustained pressure on the hosts as they tried to play out from the back led directly to the opening goal, Turrientes winning the ball and finishing past Koffi to put Real Sociedad ahead. Saint-Gilloise pushed for an equaliser and committed men forward, but the txuri urdin backline and Marrero held firm. Real Sociedad had the match under control heading into the final stages, until a wide free-kick found its way into the net via a superb Keita header at the far post. In the dying seconds, the home defence cleared a ball off the line that looked destined to be the winner for Real Sociedad.

A bitter blow in the closing minutes that cost the txuri urdin two precious points. Next week brings a third European away trip, this time to Lillestrøm in Norway, where Real Sociedad will be looking to claim three points and climb the Europa League standings.

Match details

R. Union Saint-Gilloise: Koffi, Patris, Havenaar, Sylla, Chibani (De Roeve, 64'), Van De Perre (cap.), Zeneli, Olaru (Aquino, 71'), Guilherme Smith, Mofokeng, Biondic (Keita, 83').

Real Sociedad: Marrero, Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Sarr, Sergio Gómez, Gorrotxa, Yangel Herrera (Turrientes, 46'), Ochieng (Marín, 75'), Sučić (Take, 67'), Guedes (Barrene, 79'), Oyarzabal (cap.) (Óskarsson, 90+1').

Goals: 0-1 Turrientes (46'); 1-1 Keita (89').

Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili. Bookings: Chibani (Saint-Gilloise); Sarr (Real Sociedad).