Real Sociedad’s run came to an end at the Sánchez Pizjuan. The realistas were outplayed by a Sevilla side who showed no mercy inside the area. The team leaves Seville empty-handed, which is a real shame.
The visitors could not have wished for a better start to the game – measured passes, quick control and confidence going forward. All of that combined for Januzaj to play in a precision ball through to Oyarzabal who tucked home a first-time finish. The team was a goal up with the game having barely started. The Donostiarras looked assured but the hosts gradually gained ground and thanks to the usual encouragement they get in front of their own fans, they started testing Moyá with frequency. Nolito levelled with an exquisite, first-time strike on the half volley. After that equaliser, Sevilla were marginally the better side for the remaining minutes up to the half-time break.
The second half didn’t start well for the txuri urdin. Ocampos, in a brilliant individual move, fired Lopetegui’s team ahead with a fierce strike. After that, Real Sociedad struggled to regain the kind of comfort they had enjoyed in the opening half and Imanol decided to bring on the artillery in a bid to get back level. It was a question of taking risks to find an equaliser. – even if that meant leaving spaces at the back. Willian José saw an effort sail just wide and in the next move, Franco Vázquez increased Sevilla’s lead and made Real Sociedad’s task even harder. There were 10 minutes to go and la Real refused to throw in the towel. With three minutes left to play, Portu finished off a fine move to make it 3-2. There was hope to snatch a point in the final minutes. But despite one final push, it wasn’t to be.
A good run has come to an end at a difficult ground. We’re sad, but there was always a chance something like this could happen. The campaign continues. Aupa Real!
Match details:
Sevilla FC: Vaclik, Jesús Navas (cap), Koundé, Diego Carlos, Reguilón, Fernando, Banega (Vázquez, min.79), Óliver (Jordán, min.62), Ocampos (Pozo, min.71), Nolito and De Jong.
Real Sociedad: Moyá, Zaldua, Aritz, Llorente (Merino, min.46), Monreal, Zubeldia, Zurutuza (cap)(Isak, min.62), Odegaard, Januzaj (Portu, min.55), Oyarzabal and Willian José.
Goals: 0-1: Oyarzabal, min.4. 1-1: Nolito, min.18. 2-1: Ocampos, min.47. 3-1: Vázquez, min.80. 3-2: Portu, min.87.
Referee: Alberola Rojas. Booked Fernando (Sevilla) and Odegaard (Real Sociedad).