Real Sociedad earned a much-needed and thoroughly deserved victory this afternoon against Valencia CF at the Reale Arena. In an impressive performance by Imanol’s side, a goal from Take and a brace from Óskarsson delivered the team’s first home win of the season.
The match couldn’t have started better for the home side, with Kubo finding the back of the net within the first ten minutes. Zubimendi sparked a quick counterattack, and Sergio Gómez delivered a pinpoint cross for Kubo, who calmly slotted the ball home. With the early lead, La Real controlled the flow of the game, and aside from a Mosquera header from a corner, Valencia posed little threat to Remiro in the first half. The hosts had a chance to double their lead before the break, but Aguerd’s header from a set piece hit the crossbar.
In the second half, Valencia had their best opportunity when defender Tárrega missed a close-range header from a corner. La Real responded with a long-range effort from Aguerd, which was expertly saved by Mamardashvili. A double chance for Óskarsson and Turrientes could have sealed the match, but the Valencia keeper and a wayward follow-up shot kept the game alive. The crucial second goal came soon after, as Óskarsson finished off a counterattack with a clinical strike, assisted by Brais Méndez, marking his debut goal for the Txuri-Urdin. He wasn’t finished, though— in stoppage time, he tapped in a second from another Sergio Gómez cross to make it three.
Real Sociedad’s first home win of the season breaks their streak of league draws and sets them on an upward trajectory. Up next: a European clash at the Reale Arena on Thursday.
Match sheet:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu (Aritz, 85’), Zubeldia, Aguerd, Javi López, Zubimendi, Sučić (Brais Méndez, 75’), Sergio Gómez, Take (Magunazelaia, 85’), Barrene (Turrientes, 60’), Oyarzabal (C) (Óskarsson, 60’).
Valencia CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Mosquera, Tárrega, Vázquez (Thierry, 37’), Hugo (Barrenechea, 77’), Pepelu (C) (Almeida, 77’), Diego López (Tenés, 62’), Rioja, Javi Guerra (Dani Gómez, 62’), Hugo Duro.
Goals: 1-0: Take, 8’. 2-0: Óskarsson, 80’. 3-0: Óskarsson, 92’.
Referee: Alberola Rojas. No bookings.
Attendance: 32,332 spectators.