Real Sociedad had already secured a place in the round of 16, yet the clash with Inter carried extra weight—a chance for a dramatic return to the knockout phase and a shot at avoiding the toughest opponents in the draw. A 20-year gap since the last encounter added pressure, but also the lure of a resilient comeback on a grand stage.
The goalless 0-0 draw at San Siro felt like a dream resurfacing for a team that had already announced itself in Europe. Real Sociedad showed maturity well beyond their years, staying composed and exact in possession, while the Spaniards demonstrated they could compete against a team in good form and in a historic venue that matters on the continental map.
From the opening minutes, Real walked onto the pitch ready to press. San Siro hosts can be intimidating, yet the Basque side did not shrink. They pressed with intent, forcing Inter to release the ball under pressure and proving they could control the tempo when needed. The early exchanges favored the visitors as Alguacil’s side dictated the rhythm and kept the ball moving with purpose, revealing a team willing to take the initiative even against a familiar opponent.
Then came Marcus Thuram. The French forward, son of Lilian Thuram, has been one of Italy’s season’s standout revelations. With Lautaro Martinez out, Thuram shouldered the load and tried to spark his team’s attack. He produced two of Inter’s most dangerous moments in the opening half, each proving how quickly a game can hinge on a single breakthrough from a top-class striker.
Inter’s best moments came from Thuram’s individual brilliance rather than sustained pressure in the opening 45 minutes. A misdirection on the ball, followed by a last-ditch attempt in front of Remiro, suggested that Inter could have crafted the goal if a teammate had found the right pass at the right moment. Dimarcos’s efforts later in the first half also tested the Spanish goalkeeper, but the final touch always let them down, leaving Real to breathe and regroup before the break.
Real Sociedad carried the momentum into the second half, showing how much they had grown since their campaign began. They dictated play, moving the ball with speed and precision, while Inter grew more compact and disciplined. The match moved into a tug of war, with both sides trading phases of control and pressure. Inter looked sharper at times, but Real remained dangerous on the counter and through controlled build-up play on the wings.
The game reached a turning point when Kubo, the Japanese attacker, seemed ready to tilt the balance. His driving runs and quick exchanges added a new energy to Real’s attack, and his teammates looked to feed off that spark. Real’s persistence meant the Spaniards were always a threat, even when the pace of the game increased and the players on the field adjusted to the new tempo. A flowing spell from Real was finally rewarded with a penalty decision, a moment that could have swung the match in their favor if completed with clinical precision.
However, VAR stood firm. Television footage showed the moment in question, and the on-field call was overturned after a review, nullifying the penalty and handing Kubo a yellow card in the process. The review highlighted the fine margins that often decide big European nights and reminded both sides that even small calls can shape the result when stakes are high.
Inter did not retreat. They tried to reassemble their attack and push forward, utilizing the width with longer balls into the channels and looking for Lautaro on the second wave. Yet Real stood firm. They reshaped defensively and then hit on the break with menace, turning the tide of the game away from conceding and toward creating opportunities to score the decisive goal.
In the closing stages, Inter rallied but could not find the elusive strike that would have redefined the group. Inter’s forwards pressed with renewed energy, but Real Sociedad’s organization and collective effort stood tall. The match concluded with a clean sheet that underscored Real’s growth as a continental contender and solidified their position as a real threat to any side in the knockouts. The result reinforced their status as a team capable of competing with Europe’s best, showing a blend of technical skill, tactical discipline, and stubborn resilience that defines modern Real Sociedad.