La Real continues to do its own thing. Not even a bad result keeps them away from the path they have set for themselves, that of a dominant, crushing and decisive game. Tonight they beat RCD Espanyol 2-3 in another great match, with goals by Kubo, Sorloth and Cabrera. Although the hosts pressed in the final minutes, the realistas come away with all the three points.
The first chance of the match fell to the home side but Calero’s header was brilliantly saved by Remiro. Imanol's side responded quickly with a left-footed shot from Oyarzabal that was denied by Álvaro. La Real started to have the control of the match and, after a couple of chances, took the lead with an amazing goal by Kubo. The Japanese hooked a tremendous volley at close range to put the txuri urdin ahead. The realistas had more chances to score before the break, but Sorloth missed the target after a good action.
The second half was wonderfully entertaining. In a vertiginous attack, la Real added a second when Sorloth pushed a millimetric assist from Oyarzabal into the net. Another great goal. Then, Kubo put in a tight cross and Cabrera's touch deflected the ball into the net. That own goal put the game to bed. However, the home side pulled one back with a goal from Darder. Just before the final whistle, Brian Oliván scored for Espanyol but the side from San Sebastián held on well and clinched a vital victory.
Match sheet:
RCD Espanyol: Álvaro Fernández, Óscar Gil (Rubén Sánchez, min.46), Cabrera, Calero (Sergi Gómez, min.44), Brian Oliván, Darder (cap), Souza (Gragera, min.90), Melamed (Denis, min.46), Aleix Vidal (Lazo, min.69), Braithwaite and Puado.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Barrene (Sola, min.81), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico, Illarra (cap)(Marín, min.81), Zubimendi, Brais Méndez (Merino, min.71), Oyarzabal (Navarro, min.71), Take and Sorloth (Carlos Fernández, min.81).
Goals: 0-1 Take, min.23. 0-2: Sorloth, min.52. 0-3: Cabrera, min.63 (o.g). 1-3: Darder, min.74. 2-3: Brian Oliván, min.87.
Referee: Muñiz Ruiz. Cautioned Óscar Gil and Braithwaite for RCD Espanyol and Carlos Fernández for Real Sociedad. Sent off Cabrera in the minute 74.