In pursuit of emulating their eye-catching win ratio (61%) against sides who had finished seventh or lower in LaLiga last season, the visitors got off to the perfect start.
Yet to open his goalscoring account for his new employers, Spanish international Mendez latched onto Martín Zubimendi’s glorious defence-splitting pass, slotting past the onrushing Édgar Badía to give the visitors a deserved lead after 20 minutes.
Elche were hoping to build upon their joint-highest finish (13th) in the top flight of Spanish football this century, but struggled to respond after going behind as Imanol Alguacil’s side enjoyed a prolonged spell of possession.
Sociedad wasted a glorious opportunity to double their advantage in the 34th minute after being awarded a penalty for a foul by Johan Mojica.
Mikel Merino’s decision to produce an audacious Panenka from 12 yards spectacularly backfired when Badía easily saved his attempt.
Despite looking likely to head into the interval with another goal to their name, the visitors were ultimately left frustrated as Elche remained composed to give themselves a realistic chance of achieving a result in the contest.
In an attempt to change his side’s fortunes in front of goal, Elche manager Francisco rolled the dice, introducing Raul Guti and Helibelton Palacios into the fray.
However, the visitors had the first opportunity of the second half when Badia brilliantly kept out Takefusa Kubo’s close-range effort.
After a quiet first period, Alex Remiro was finally called into action in the 51st minute, sublimely reacting to prevent Alex Collado’s strike from levelling the scoreline.
With an eye on a seventh victory from their last nine clashes, Real Sociedad kept their composure in the face of their hosts’ attacking onslaught, achieving another success over Elche.
Meanwhile, Los Franjiverdes’ dressing room will leave the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero with the taste of disappointment in their mouths as Francisco’s side continue to pursue their first victory of the 2022/23 campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Brais Mendez (Real Sociedad)
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