Key Takeaways:
- Real Sociedad ended an eight-match winless away streak in La Liga with a 3-2 victory at Elche
- Job Ochieng contributed one goal and two assists as Real Sociedad finished with ten men
- Elche have not defeated Real Sociedad in any competition since April 2015, recording their ninth straight winless H2H meeting
Match Analysis
Real Sociedad put an end to their protracted away drought in LaLiga, overcoming a spirited Elche side 3-2 in a pulsating contest. The visitors started brightly in southern Spain, seizing the advantage within 11 minutes after Job Ochieng scored his debut goal for La Real. From Sociedad’s opening corner, Carlos Soler collected the clearance and floated it back into the area, where Ochieng powered a right-footed finish into the roof of the net, handing the Basque club their first away lead of the campaign.
Luka Sucic then tried his luck from range but was denied by Matias Dutiro. Elche began to settle and generated chances of their own, most notably when Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte fired from distance at Unai Marrero, and Ezequiel Ponce shot over from a promising position inside the penalty area.
🔚 ¡¡FINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!! Tres puntos más que merecidos después de luchar media hora con diez. 𝗔𝗨𝗣𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗟!!! pic.twitter.com/lVIW9Byvdw
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) September 7, 2026
Sociedad Capitalise on Defensive Mistakes
After Ponce’s missed opportunity, Sociedad responded clinically. On 31 minutes, a defensive mishap saw Pedro Bigas lose control of the ball on the right flank, allowing Ochieng to pounce and provide for Yangel Herrera. The Venezuelan’s first-time strike slipped under Dutiro’s grasp and crept into the bottom corner, giving the away side a two-goal cushion.
La Real nearly made it three before the interval, as Goncalo Guedes powered through only to be denied by Dutiro under defensive pressure from Bigas.
Second Half Drama and Decisive Moments
The contest erupted after the break with a chaotic five-minute spell past the hour mark. Sucic thought he had extended Sociedad’s lead when he slotted home, but referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, following a VAR review, ruled the effort out and sent off substitute Jon Martin for a handball offence which denied Abiel Osorio a clear chance to score.
Elche capitalised with debutant Thomas Lemar, on loan from Atletico Madrid, making an immediate impression by drilling in from 20 yards to halve the deficit. The hosts then drew level with just over 15 minutes remaining as Tete Morente’s volleyed delivery allowed Fer Nino to chest in from close range.
Marrero was soon called upon to parry efforts from Nino and Lucas Cepeda, while Osorio volleyed narrowly wide. Despite being down to ten men, Sociedad surged forward in the 90th minute, with Sucic driving into the box and firing a powerful left-foot finish into the bottom corner to restore the lead.
Late on, Nino came close to a stoppage-time equaliser for Elche, but his header was superbly kept out by Marrero at point-blank range as the visitors saw out a dramatic triumph.
Upcoming Fixtures and H2H Records
Real Sociedad take a three-match unbeaten run into Sunday’s home clash against Atletico Madrid. Elche, meanwhile, remain without a victory this season and maintain their unenviable streak of conceding the opening goal in every match. They will next visit the in-form Athletic Club on Saturday, still seeking a first success over Sociedad since April 2015.
