Real Sociedad is already in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. The txuri urdin managed to win at El Sadar and move on to the next round thanks to goals from Oyarzabal and Merino in a game that opened up in the second half. Real Sociedad will know their next opponents in the competition next Friday.
Neither club was able to establish their game in the first half. Equality prevailed, and neither of the two goalkeepers had to intervene. Real Sociedad wanted to, but couldn't create clear opportunities up front.
The second half started with much more action in the penalty areas. Real Sociedad had two chances after Osasuna's first effort was well-denied by Remiro. First, André Silva and Zakharyan pushed the ball to a corner between the goalkeeper and the defenders. After that, following several rebounds, Catena committed a penalty on Le Normand, and the referee, who had awarded the penalty, was called by VAR to expel the Osasuna defender. Oyarzabal, as usual, made no mistake from the penalty spot. That was a hard blow for Osasuna but the side from Navarre showed pride and had good minutes, staying alive in the match. In injury time, Imanol's team were awarded another penalty. Aitor saved Brais' shot, but Merino, alert, capitalized on the rebound to put the game to bed.
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey will take place this Friday. We must keep dreaming. We are Real.
Match details:
CA Osasuna: Aitor, Areso, David García (c), Catena, Juan Cruz, Mojica (Rubén García, min.65), Moncayola, Torró (Peña, min.65), Aimar Oroz (Ibáñez, min.85), Arnaiz (Kike Barja, min.80), and Budimir (Raúl, min.80).
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aritz (Aramburu, min.81), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney, González de Zárate (Turrientes, min.60), Merino, Zakharyan, Barrene (Brais Méndez, min.60), Oyarzabal (c)(Magunazelaia, min.73), and André Silva (Sadiq, min.73).
Goals: 0-1: Oyarzabal (pen.), min.57. 0-2: Merino, min.9
Referee: Hernández Hernández. Booked David García for Osasuna and Magunazelaia and Le Normand for Real Sociedad were cautioned. Catena from Osasuna was sent off with a direct red card in the 56th minute.