Data sheet:
0 – Osasuna: Aitor Fernández; Areso, Catena, David García, Juan Cruz, Mojica; Moncayola, Torró, Aimar; Arnaiz, Budimir; Raúl García. Subs: Peña, d. 65; Rubén García, d. 65; Pablo Ibáñez, d. 84; Kike Barja, d. 79.
2 – Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aritz, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Tierney; Zakharyan, from Zárate, (Turrientes, m. 60); Merino, Barrene, (Brais Méndez, m. 60); André Silva (Magunazelaia, d. 74); Oyarzabal (Sadiq, d. 74).
Goals: 0-1, m.57: Oyarzabal. 0-2, m.96: Merino.
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (Canary Committee), assisted by Sánchez Rojo and Sobrino Magán. Areso received a yellow card on the Osasuna side. Catena, who seized the ball in the penalty area in the 56th minute, was shown a red card after the on-field review. Magunazelaia and Le Normand also picked up yellow cards on behalf of Real Sociedad.
Events: The match, part of the last-16 rounds of the Copa del Rey, drew 21,116 spectators to El Sadar stadium.
Real Sociedad faced Osasuna with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to advance and leave behind a treacherous stretch of form. The game opened with both sides probing each other’s setups, Osasuna leaning on their typical compact defense while Real Sociedad circulated the ball with patience, looking for gaps in the backline. Early exchanges suggested a contest where organization and discipline trumped flashy passages of play.
The initial stages were quietly competitive. Osasuna’s defense, anchored by Catena and David García, held firm as their opponents tried to unlock the door through the flanks and by forcing quick duels in midfield. Budimir and Arnaiz appeared as the most confident threats in the final third, but the visitors managed to erase any straightforward chances with disciplined shape and timely pressing. As the minutes ticked by, it became clear that the match would hinge on small openings rather than sweepingattacks.
In the 53rd minute, a moment of drama shifted the balance. A clash inside the area left Le Normand exposed, and Hernandez Hernandez signaled for a maximum penalty after consulting the VAR. The decision intensified the tension, especially for Osasuna, who were defending stoutly but then saw the discipline tested further when Catena was shown a red card following the review. The sending off put El Sadar on edge and complicated Osasuna’s plan, forcing them to chase the tie with ten men.
Real Sociedad responded by sharpening their tempo. Oyarzabal found space to convert in the 57th minute, giving La Real a lead that the rojillos would chase for the remainder. The visitors then tried to press higher and control the tempo, using Merino, Barrene, and the pace of Oyarzabal to probe the Osasuna defense. The match grew into a tense, methodical duel, with Osasuna fighting to stay in contention while Real Sociedad looked for a moment to seal the contest.
Approaching the final phase, the visitors increased their insistence on ball retention and width, aiming to stretch the Osasuna backline. Brais Méndez and Sadiq entered late to inject different energies into the attack, while Osasuna sought counterattacks and set pieces to nudge the scoreboard back in their favor. The game’s rhythm oscillated between high-intensity sprints and patient build-ups, reflecting a classic cup tie where nerves and necessity side by side shape decisions.
Merino’s late moment, the 96th-minute strike converting a chance spurred by a defensive lapse, sealed the 0-2 victory for Real Sociedad. It punctuated a night of resilience and tactical discipline from the visitors, who navigated the red card and the closing minutes with composure. By the end, Real Sociedad had secured a spot in the quarterfinals, continuing a strong run against Osasuna that stretched across multiple recent encounters. Osasuna, meanwhile, left the pitch knowing they had given everything, even as the result clipped their hopes of advancing in this edition.
In the larger arc of the campaign, the clash underscored how cup ties can hinge on small margins—an early policy of pressing, a pivotal decision at the VAR monitor, and a late shot that turned the tide. The attendance figure and the charged atmosphere at El Sadar reflected the return of a big-match mood, reinforcing why these fixtures captivate fans across Spain and beyond.
Ultimately, Real Sociedad’s progression to the quarter-finals added another memorable chapter to the club’s ongoing Copa del Rey narrative, while Osasuna’s solid performance in Pamplona reinforced the competitive rhythm of La Liga’s mid-table stalwarts and their capacity to push top-tier teams to the edge in knockout football.