Take Kubo opened the scoring in the 25th minute, delivering a strike that gave the visitors the lead. The initial period saw the away side in control as they pressed forward, while Cádiz struggled to find a cohesive attacking blueprint. This early goal set the tone for a season opener where Real Sociedad aimed to start with three points on the road at Nuevo Mirandilla. [Source: LaLiga]
Real Sociedad pressed in the opening half and controlled the tempo, with the Japanese playmaker providing the main threat. A strong first-half showing suggested that the team, bolstered by the addition of Kubo on loan from Real Madrid, was prepared to translate promise into results. In the second half, several chances arose for a 0-2 cushion, but Cádiz resisted and kept the score within reach as they chased a revival that ultimately did not materialize. [Source: LaLiga]
STATE. STATE. @Real society #CádizRealSociety #KickOffLaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/e22BzDS9w4
– LaLiga (@LaLiga) 14 August 2022
Cádiz grew into the match as the clock moved on, with Choco Lozano nearly slipping through on a personal foray from the left. A superb stop by Remiro kept Cádiz from breaking through, only for the game to pivot into a more realistic representation of Real Sociedad dominance, circling the Cádiz area but without carving out a clear-cut chance. Real Sociedad also sent a testing ball into the box from Kubo’s corner, but Merino could not connect cleanly with the delivery, and the danger was quickly contained by the home defense. [Source: LaLiga]
Moments later, a prospective threat to Real Sociedad faded after Lucas Pérez was dispossessed, and Cádiz regrouped under pressure. In the 25th minute Real Sociedad reclaimed the ball in a dangerous zone when a miscommunication between José Mari and Chust allowed Merino to clear the danger over the defense, leaving Kubo in a favorable position. He remained composed and produced a clinical finish past Ledesma to put the visitors ahead. [Source: LaLiga]
Cádiz immediately pushed to level, but Fali’s effort found Remiro ready and waiting as the ball bounced away from danger. The first half ended with Real Sociedad ahead as Lozano flashed another opening at the start of the period, but the Real goalkeeper was equal to the task. Kubo exploited the absence of a decisive moment for Cádiz in this phase, turning the balance toward his side in a game that featured few clear chances. [Source: LaLiga]
After the break, Cádiz coach Sergio González sent on fresh legs, replacing Perea with Mabil and moving José Mari aside for Alarcón. Cádiz also put Alejo back into the fray, seeking a spark from the wide areas that could unlock the Real Sociedad defense. Yet the Basque side stood firm at the back, denying Cádiz’s attempts and maintaining a compact shape that frustrated any real breakthrough. Real Sociedad continued to press, relying on solid defensive work and quick transitions to frustrate their hosts. [Source: LaLiga]
La Real began to impose themselves more clearly as the match settled. The visitors controlled possession, while Cádiz found it hard to create meaningful opportunities. The tone of the game shifted toward a cautious late push, with Real Sociedad protecting a slender lead and Cádiz chasing a late equalizer without finding the final pass. The away side showed patience and discipline, ensuring little room for error as the clock wound down. [Source: LaLiga]
❌ NOT THIS WAY! ❌
Alex Remiro #CádizRealSociety#KickOffLaLigaSantander#LaLigaFeatured pic.twitter.com/JetU6opkbv
– LaLiga (@LaLiga) 14 August 2022
As the game neared its end, Alguacil emphasized caution, aiming to secure a second goal to seal the victory rather than chasing a risky late push. The substitutes were used to preserve energy and manage the clock, with Ledesma making a crucial stop on a speculative attempt from the side. The home team did gain a moment of hope at the end when Cho forced a late chance, but Ledesma’s reflexes denied the equalizer, preserving Real Sociedad’s advantage. [Source: LaLiga]
Cho did manage to threaten again, but the final touch eluded him as Ledesma and the Cádiz defense held firm. The match finished with Real Sociedad in control and pursuing a more comfortable result in the closing stages, while Cádiz left seeking a more productive idea in attack for future fixtures. [Source: LaLiga]
Data sheet:
0 – Cádiz: Ledesma, Zaldua (Diarra, m. 85), Chust, Luis Hernández, Espino, José Mari (Alarcón, m. 64), Fali, Perea (Mabil, m. 46), Arzamendia (Iván Alejo, m. 64), Lucas Pérez (Negredo, art. 72) and Lozano.
1 – Royal Society: Remiro, Aritz, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Diego Rico (Aihen, born 80), Zubimendi, Merino (Illarramendi, born 78), Kubo (Barrenetxea, born 78), Brais Méndez, Silva (Cho, born 78) and Isak (Karrikaburu, b. 84).
Aim: 0-1, M.24: Get Kubo.
Judge: Isidro Díaz de Mera (Castilian-Manchego Committee). Locals Zaldua (m.44), Lucas Pérez (m.45), Iván Alejo (m.69) and Fali (m.85) and Real Sociedad players Brais Méndez (m.85) received a yellow card. Illarramendi (d. 97). Cádiz’s physical trainer sent Sergio Dorado out with a direct red card in the 75th minute.
Events: The first day’s match of LaLiga Santander was played at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in front of 16,570 spectators. The presence of a large number of followers of the Royal Society, about a thousand.