Sociedad started the contest in conventional Erreala fashion, amassing a prolonged spell of possession in their half, seeking to manufacture opportunities. Celta were hoping to break their opponent’s H2H superiority after Real Sociedad had won the last four meetings. The home side remained a constant threat in their ventures into the final third, as Asier Illarramendi received the first caution of the game for unlawfully concluding Jørgen Strand Larsen’s menacing charge down on goal.
Looking to extend their unbeaten sequence across all competitions to seven matches, Imanol Alguacil’s side were ahead on the half-hour mark when the recently-reprimanded Illarramendi exquisitely found the bottom right-hand corner for his first goal since August 2018. However, Sociedad’s lead didn’t last long, as nine minutes later, Iago Aspas instinctively intercepted Martín Zubimendi’s mistimed pass as Los Celestes’ topscorer fired past Álex Remiro to level the playing field heading into HT.
Sociedad restored their lead with only nine minutes gone in the second half when former Celta player Brais Méndez provided the assist for an unmarked Igor Zubeldia to head the visitors back on top. On course to suffer only their second home defeat of the current LaLiga (LL) campaign, Eduardo Coudet rolled the substitutional dice as Óscar Mingueza and Carles Pérez entered the fray and it was latter, who was inches away from bringing the contest level for a second time, only for Remiro to produce a sensational save.
Despite weathering an attacking onslaught from Celta, Real Sociedad bravely remained in the ascendancy to continue their H2H bragging rights. In contrast, Los Celestes stay in the bottom half of the LL standings after back-to-back league defeats.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Igor Zubeldia (Real Sociedad)
