An undeserved defeat

Real Sociedad fell to a 0-3 defeat against Atlético de Madrid tonight, a scoreline that was far harsher than their performance warranted. The txuri-urdin were the better side for long spells, but a controversial late penalty turned the game on its head and opened the floodgates.

The first half was played at a high tempo and with plenty of intensity. Clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the opening stages, although there was always a sense that something could happen at any moment. Atlético had the first real opening, with Hjulmand heading narrowly wide. Real Sociedad posed the greater attacking threat as the half progressed, with Sučić seeing an effort from inside the box come to nothing and Guedes going close from a similar position. The sides went into the break level.

The second half followed much the same pattern: fast, physical and fiercely contested, with neither side willing to give an inch. Remiro was called upon to deal with a David effort in the closing stages, before the game turned on a cruel moment with less than ten minutes remaining. The ball struck Ochieng’s hand inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Grimaldo made no mistake from twelve yards to put Atlético ahead. David then struck on the counter in the 90th minute to make it 0-2, before Giuliano added a third deep into stoppage time.

A defeat the txuri-urdin did not deserve. They played the better football and showed greater ambition, but football is decided by goals, and tonight Real Sociedad were left with nothing but frustration. Even so, performances like this one suggest that nights like this will be the exception rather than the rule.

Match details

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Sarr, Beitia, Sergio Gómez, Herrera (Zakharyan, 85’), Soler (Gorrotxa, 78’), Sučić, Barrene (Ochieng, min. TBC), Guedes (Take, 72’), Oyarzabal (cap.) (Óskarsson, 78’).

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak, Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo, Llorente (David, 60’), Hjulmand, Giuliano, Kang In (Koke, 60’), Baena (Johny, 60’), Lookman (Ortiz, 76’).

Goals: 0-1 Grimaldo (pen., 84’); 0-2 David (90’); 0-3 Giuliano (90+5’).

Referee: Juan Martínez. 

Bookings: Herrera (Real Sociedad); Johny (Atlético de Madrid).

Attendance: 31,834.