It wasn’t to be. Tonight, Real drew against Real Betis in the second leg of the round-of-16 Copa del Rey (2-2) in a competition where the realistas did well and almost reached the quarter-finals. However, they are knocked out of the tournament.
Betis is a hard team to beat. That is why Real went all out from minute 1. Merino nearly broke the deadlock, but his firm header went wide. Shame! Betis wanted to have more of the ball and 8 minutes before the half-time, Sergio Canales got the opening goal. Real responded immediately with a brilliant volley from Igor Zubeldia. The score was 1-1 at the break.
Real needed to score one more goal to get a ticket to the quarter finals. Just one goal. Besides, the Green and Whites could not beat Moyá. Real grew as the game went on and goal scoring opportunities did not take long to come. In the 62nd minute, Merino rose like a salmon to head home. Januzaj provided the assist. Real were ahead, but Betis reacted and Loren scored the equaliser. In the final twenty minutes, Real tried to get a goal and gave their all out there but with no luck. Real are out of the Copa del Rey, but are proud of tonight’s performance. Now, we must focus on LaLiga. Aúpa Real!
Line-ups:
Real Sociedad: Moyá, Zaldua, Le Normand (Juanmi, min.86), H. Moreno, Theo, Illarra (cap), Zubeldia, Merino, Oyarzabal, Januzaj (Sandro, min.72) and Willian J.
Real Betis: Joel Robles, A. Barragán, Mandi, Javi García, Bartra, Tello, William, Lo Celso, Canales, Joaquín (cap) (Feddal, min.78) and Loren (Sergio León, min.93).
Goals: 0-1: Canales, min.37. 1-1: Zubeldia, min.40. 2-1: Merino, min.62. 2-2: Loren, min.70.
Referee: Prieto Iglesias. Cautioned Le Normand, Januzaj, H. Moreno and Illarra for Real Sociedad and Loren and Barragán for Real Betis. Ha expulsado al visitante Lo Celso por doble amarilla (min.90).
Attendance: 21,090 spectators.