La Real found it tough against good opposition, but deserved the win. Elche lost a man on 11’ and Aritz opened the scoring on 72’ to secure the spoils for the txuri urdin. In the final minutes, Oyarzabal got his name on the scoresheet to edge la Real closer to Europe.
Imanol’s side came out all guns blazing right from the first whistle and carved out three clear chances to open the scoring. All signs were pointing to a winning finish but the txuri urdin were unable to beat Gazzaniga whereas Elche were reduced to ten men after Raúl Guti was sent off in the minute 11. Oyarzabal, Isak, Silva and Le Normand tried their luck but did not take advantage of their chances. Then, Monreal scored before half an hour of the game was played but his goal was ruled for offside.
Unlike the first half, clear chances were few and far between after the break. La Real found it hard to put Gazzaniga’s area under pressure. The minutes ticked by and the tone of the match continued along the same line until Aritz headed home from the corner to make it 1-0. In the final move of the game, Oyarzabal killed the game off entirely.
In the end, getting three points and staying in the fight for a European was important. Aupa Real!
Match sheet:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Gorosabel, Aritz, Le Normand, Monreal, Guevara (Zubimendi, min.46), Guridi (Barrenetxea, min.46), Silva, Oyarzabal (cap), Januzaj (Portu, min.86) and Isak (Bautista, min.82).
Elche CF: Gazzaniga, Palacios, Verdú (cap), Dani Calvo, Barragán, Mfulu (Luismi, min.85), Raúl Guti, Fidel (Marcone, min.86), Josan (Piatti, min.67), Pere Milla (Rigoni, min.85) and Lucas Boyé (Guido Carrillo, min.67).
Goals: 1-0: Aritz, min.72. 2-0: Oyarzabal, min.92
Referee: Cordero Vega. Booked Guevara for Real Sociedad and Gazzaniga, Fidel and Barragán. Sent off Raúl Guti in minute 11.
