“Ander Barrenetxea opens the scoring with a right-footed finish from the center of the box, capitalizing on an early Espanyol lapse.”
Pivotal“Roberto Fernández equalizes for Espanyol right before the break, punishing a foul conceded by Jon Aramburu with a quick-break finish.”
Pivotal“Orri Óskarsson restores Real Sociedad's lead shortly after the restart, putting the hosts back in control at 2-1.”
Pivotal
Real Sociedad
Espanyol
Outstanding performance
Espanyol•GoalkeeperReal Sociedad dominated the underlying numbers, doubling Espanyol's shot count and dangerous attacks while controlling 53% of possession, and that pressure eventually told. Barrenetxea's early finish set the platform, but a sloppy foul from Jon Aramburu gifted Espanyol a stoppage-time free kick that Roberto Fernández converted on the stroke of halftime, dragging the visitors level against the run of play. Orri Óskarsson restored the hosts' lead just after the hour mark, and from there Real Sociedad's control - evidenced by six corners to Espanyol's one and four shots on target - proved enough to close out the points. For a Sociedad side chasing the title race, this was a statement of control against a resilient Espanyol outfit who will rue conceding just before both breaks in play, one on the counter, the other from a well-worked opener.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt blocked. Jon Martín (Real Sociedad) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Mikel Oyarzabal from Real Sociedad wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Vanja Drkusic of Espanyol.
Carlos Soler from Real Sociedad misses a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, sending it to the right. Beñat Turrientes provided the assist.
Ander Barrenetxea from Real Sociedad misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box.
Orri Óskarsson from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Unai Núñez from Espanyol wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Jon Aramburu of Real Sociedad.
Tyrhys Dolan of Espanyol wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Jon Aramburu from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Tyrhys Dolan of Espanyol wins a free kick in the defensive half.
The second half begins with the score tied at 1-1 between Real Sociedad and Espanyol.
Substitution for Espanyol: Gabriel Moscardo comes on for Urko González de Zárate.
Attempt missed. Luka Sucic from Real Sociedad takes a left-footed shot from outside the box but it goes wide to the left. Carlos Soler provided the assist.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
First half ends with Real Sociedad and Espanyol tied at 1-1.
assist: Javi Hernández
Goal! The match is now 1-1 as Roberto Fernández scores for Espanyol with a right-footed shot from the center of the box after a quick break.
Jon Aramburu from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Javi Hernández from Espanyol wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Edu Expósito from Espanyol takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes to the left.
Mikel Oyarzabal's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
Igor Zubeldia commits a foul for Real Sociedad.
Roberto Fernández from Espanyol is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Real Sociedad is awarded a corner after Edu Expósito concedes.
Mikel Oyarzabal's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Ander Barrenetxea.
Real Sociedad wins a corner after Urko González de Zárate concedes.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Urko González de Zárate from Espanyol.
Jon Aramburu of Real Sociedad wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Javi Hernández from Espanyol commits a foul.
Orri Óskarsson from Real Sociedad is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Vanja Drkusic of Espanyol.
Real Sociedad has been awarded a corner after Marko Dmitrovic conceded it.
Real Sociedad is awarded a corner after Vanja Drkusic concedes.
Beñat Turrientes from Real Sociedad has a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it is blocked. He was assisted by Igor Zubeldia.
Real Sociedad is awarded a corner after Unai Núñez concedes.
Attempt saved. Mikel Oyarzabal's left-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal by Marko Dmitrovic. The attempt was assisted by Luka Sucic.
Attempt missed. Edu Expósito (Espanyol) took a right-footed shot from outside the box following a direct free kick.
Jon Aramburu from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Roberto Fernández from Espanyol is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Urko González de ZárateYellow CardUrko González de Zárate from Espanyol receives a yellow card for a foul.
Orri Óskarsson from Real Sociedad is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Edu Expósito of Espanyol commits a foul.
Jon Martín from Real Sociedad wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Roberto Fernández commits a foul for Espanyol.
Javi Hernández from Espanyol is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Jon Aramburu from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Edu Expósito from Espanyol is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Beñat TurrientesYellow CardBeñat Turrientes of Real Sociedad receives a yellow card for a foul.
Foul committed by Beñat Turrientes of Real Sociedad.
Jon Aramburu from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Tyrhys Dolan of Espanyol wins a free kick on the left wing.
Real Sociedad is awarded a corner after Vanja Drkusic concedes.
Ander Barrenetxea from Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Cala from Espanyol wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Orri Óskarsson of Real Sociedad commits a foul.
Unai Núñez from Espanyol wins a free kick in the defensive half.
assist: Mikel Oyarzabal
Goal! Real Sociedad leads 1-0 against Espanyol. Ander Barrenetxea scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Espanyol is awarded a corner after Jon Martín concedes.
First half begins.
Real Sociedad open their home account desperately needing a turnaround after two straight defeats, while Espanyol arrive with early-season confidence looking to make it a difficult afternoon at Anoeta. With relegation-zone pressure already mounting for the hosts in just Matchday 3, this clash carries far more weight than a typical August fixture.
