Real Sociedad Triumphs 2-0 Over Cadiz in San Sebastian
Real Sociedad secured a convincing victory in the 29th round of the Spanish league, defeating Cadiz 2-0 at home in San Sebastian. The win keeps the Basque side in strong contention in the table as the season moves forward, while Cadiz faces a challenging position near the relegation zone.
The breakthrough came when Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan found the net. Substituting into the match, Zakharyan required just two minutes to make a striking impact, converting in the 68th minute with an assist from Bryce Mendes. This marked Zakharyan’s first appearance for Real Sociedad with an immediate impact, as he joins the scoresheet and tallies an assist in what is his 31st appearance for the club. The other goal of the encounter came from Mikel Merino, reinforcing the home side’s dominance on the afternoon.
Earlier developments in Zakharyan’s career with Real Sociedad are notable. On 19 August 2023, the club announced the transfer of the Russia international from Dinamo Moscow, with a contract that runs through June 2029. Zakharyan made his debut for Real Sociedad on 25 August, coming on in the 75th minute during the league clash against Las Palmas, signaling a swift integration into the team’s plans and style of play.
In late February, Zakharyan endured a setback when he collided with an opponent in a league match, injuring his right hand. The incident required him to leave the field, though medical assessments later indicated the injury was not serious. He recovered promptly, but the timing meant he missed the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, a match that finished with a 1-2 scoreline in favor of PSG. The episode highlighted the physical demands faced by players amid a demanding schedule across domestic and European competitions.
Real Sociedad’s 29th-round win propelled the team to sixth place in the table, tallying 46 points. Cadiz, by contrast, sat in the relegation zone in 18th position with 22 points, underscoring the uphill battle they face to climb clear of danger ahead of the remaining fixtures of the campaign. The result adds another layer to Real Sociedad’s campaign as they pursue a challenging yet achievable objective in the league standings.
Beyond club duties, Zakharyan’s career has also seen him being selected to represent the Russian national team. The call-ups reflect his ongoing development and recognition at the international level, alongside his responsibilities with Real Sociedad as he continues to adapt to a new league and a high-tempo European competition calendar.