The day we’ve been waiting for

The day we had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived. The team’s dominant play, full of quality and chances, finally paid off at El Sadar today, delivering a comeback and Real Sociedad’s first away win of the season.

The match kicked off with a clear chance for the home side, but Remiro stood tall, coming out on top in a one-on-one with Raúl. Real Sociedad responded well, with their attackers lively and starting to threaten Herrera’s goal. While the visitors controlled possession more than creating clear-cut opportunities, the first half reached its final moments when Osasuna stepped up and took the lead: from a corner, Catena rose to head the ball into the net, making it 1-0.

Real Sociedad came out of the break with intensity. Once they regained control of the ball, chances quickly started to appear. Brais Méndez, after a brilliant feint, scored an equalizer that sparked hope for a comeback. Herrera produced a superb save to deny Carlos Soler’s curling strike into the top corner, but he could do nothing on the next play: another excellent collective attack saw Guedes finish with his trademark quality to put Real ahead. Energized by the crowd, Rubén García tried to restore parity with a powerful shot, but Remiro reacted brilliantly, blocking the effort. With more courage than precision, the home side continued to push forward until Barrene, from the halfway line, looked up and decided to score a goal destined to make headlines around the world.

“Osasuna never gives up,” goes the chant, and today they tried until the very last second. But they were met by a Real Sociedad side that mounted a remarkable comeback and secured a hard-fought away victory that had been long awaited. The desire to keep growing and progressing ultimately prevailed.

Match details:

CA Osasuna: S. Herrera (cap.), Boyomo (Herrando, min. 78), Catena, Juan Cruz (Rubén García, min. 61), Moncayola (Arguibide, min. 71), Torró, Moi Gómez (Kike Barja, min. 78), Abel Bretones, Víctor M.V. (Budimir, min. 78), Aimar, Raúl.

Real Sociedad: A. Remiro, Aramburu, Jon Martín, Ćaleta-Car, Aihen (Sergio Gómez, min. 75), Gorrotxa, C. Soler (Aritz, min. 85), Brais Méndez (Marín, min.75), Guedes (Take, min. 60), Zakharyan (Barrene, min. 60), Oyarzabal (cap.).

Goals: 1-0: Catena, min. 42; 1-1: Brais Méndez, min. 53; 1-2: Guedes, min. 59;1-3 Barrene, min. 82.

Referee: Mateo Busquets. Booked Aimar and Catena for CA Osasuna and Brais Méndez and Jon Martín for Real Sociedad. He sent off the home player Arguibide with a straight red card in the 87th minute.