In a high-stakes Champions League Group D fixture hosted at the Red Bull Arena, Real Sociedad traveled to Salzburg and returned home with a disciplined 0-2 victory. The sunlit evening backdrop framed the Basque side as they demonstrated rapid, collective understanding from the opening minutes.
From the first whistle, Real Sociedad asserted control. Their pressure was relentless, stifling Salzburg and denying the hosts any meaningful advance early on. The visitors showed organization and precision, clearly signaling their intent to seize momentum and dictate the tempo of the match.
The breakthrough came in the seventh minute. Captain Mikel Oyarzabal found a pocket of space near the edge of the box and delivered a crisp left-footed strike past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. It was a calm, composed finish that set the tone for Real Sociedad’s approach, showing willingness to attack with intent and accuracy right from the start.
As the opening period unfolded, Real Sociedad continued pressing and exploiting gaps in Salzburg’s shape. Several promising chances followed, culminating in a swift counterattack that produced the second goal. Roughly twenty minutes after the opener, Brais Méndez sprinted onto a through ball and lashed a precise left-foot shot into the net. The strike extended the lead and tipped the balance decisively in favor of the visitors.
Salzburg found it hard to assemble a coherent threat amid Real Sociedad’s relentless organization. The Austrian side looked unsettled as pressing high disrupted their buildup and angles were closed effectively. The half closed with Real Sociedad in a strong position, buoyed by two well-taken goals and a defensive display that kept Salzburg quiet.
Early in the second half, a potential turning point emerged when Salzburg earned an apparent penalty. After a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, removing the spot-kick and also clearing the yellow card shown to goalkeeper Remiro. That moment reignited a match already tilting toward Real Sociedad, though the home side failed to capitalize on the subsequent chance or create a clear-cut opportunity.
The visitors steadied themselves and maintained momentum, while Salzburg continued to push to break through. Real Sociedad’s defense held firm and their counter-attacks remained a constant threat whenever Salzburg tried to advance. Across the second half, Real Sociedad controlled substantial portions of play, carefully managing tempo and keeping the result within reach of their grasp. The final whistle confirmed a valuable three points for the Basque outfit, underscoring their readiness to compete at Europe’s highest level.
Data sheet:
0 – Salzburg: Schlager; Dedic, Terzic, Pavlovic, Solet, Baidoo (substitution in at 45), Gourna-Dopath, Kjaergaard (Forson at 45), Bidstrup (Capaldo at 65), Gloukh (Sucic at 79), Simic, Konaté (Ratkov at 45).
2 – Real Sociedad: Remiro; Traoé (Elustondo at 84), Zubeldía, Le Normand (Pacheco at 45), Múñoz; Méndez (Turrientes at 82), Merinos, Zubimendi, Barrenetxea (Fernandez Luna at 64), Oyarzabal, Kubo (Cho at 63).
Goals: 0-1, min 7: Oyarzabal, 0-2, min 27: Méndez.
Judge: Bartosz Frankowski (Poland). He cautioned Solet, Pavlovic and Baidoo, as well as Le Normand and Méndez, at various moments in the match.
Events: The Champions League clash drew 28,200 spectators at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.