Real Sociedad continues its path in the Copa del Rey after beating Osasuna 2-0 in a duel where it was able to take advantage of its opportunities and capitalize on the opponent's mistakes. Despite the fact that the Navarre side started the match better, the txuri-urdin were more effective at key moments, which allowed them to secure an important victory.
With a goal by Ander Barrenetxea, a goal by Brais Méndez and an early dismissal by Alejandro Catena, Imanol Alguacil's team sealed their place in the next phase.
Osasuna Dominates, But Real Strikes First
From the first minutes, Osasuna was the more active team and with greater offensive intent. The first big chance of the match was for the visitors, when Ante Budimir came close to connecting a dangerous cross in the opponent's area. Shortly after, Aimar Oroz tried to surprise with a shot from outside the area that went just past the post.
However, when Osasuna seemed to control the pace of the match, Real Sociedad found the goal in its first clear arrival. Take Kubo started a counterattack with speed and precision, setting up Mikel Oyarzabal, who with great vision laid the ball off to Ander Barrenetxea.
The young attacker, with excellent control and impeccable finishing, beat Sergio Herrera to make it 1-0.
Defensive Errors That Sentenced The Game
The goal left Osasuna shaken, who tried to react quickly with a shot by Iker Muñoz that demanded the intervention of Álex Remiro. However, a serious mistake by their goalkeeper complicated the situation even more. Sergio Herrera, trying to play with his feet, delivered an imprecise pass that was intercepted by Pablo Marín.
Real did not waste the opportunity: Oyarzabal assisted Brais Méndez, who only had to push the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
As if the situation wasn't difficult enough for Osasuna, things got worse when Alejandro Catena was sent off. The defender tried to stop an advance by Brais Méndez, but ended up kicking him hard in the head. The referee, after reviewing the action in the VAR, corrected his initial decision and showed a straight red card. With one player down and two goals against, the task for the visitors became almost impossible.
Absolute Control of La Real in Part Two
With the game practically settled, Real Sociedad managed their advantage intelligently. Imanol Alguacil's team controlled possession and avoided taking unnecessary risks.
Osasuna, for their part, tried to get closer with some long-range attempts, including a shot by Aimar Oroz that went wide and the energy that Bryan Zaragoza tried to bring after entering the field.
Real, however, never lost control of the match. They had opportunities to increase the score with shots by Aguerd and Pablo Marín, but the lack of precision in the final meters prevented a higher score. As the minutes passed, the match lost intensity and Osasuna found no answers to change the course of the match.
Sacrebleu! Are you going for the goal-scoring mummies in the Ligue 1 MATCHUP? 🇫🇷🔥#Monaco have only won in three of their last 10 meetings with #PSG, who have #OusmaneDembelé very much on fire.
Will both teams score, play now! ➡ https://t.co/HCS0drbkft pic.twitter.com/eVF5c4HTAJ
- Betcris (@Betcris) February 7, 2025
A Pass to the Semifinals Well Deserved
When the referee signaled the end of the match, the Real Sociedad players celebrated with their fans a victory that places them among the top four in the Copa del Rey. With this qualification, the txuri-urdin reach the semifinals for the third time in the last six years, consolidating themselves as a competitive team in the tournament.
Imanol Alguacil's team continues to prove that it can fight for the title. With solid and effective soccer, Real Sociedad is emerging as a serious candidate to lift the trophy, as it did in 2020. Now, the Donostiarras await an opponent in the next phase, where they will seek to take another step towards the final and continue dreaming of glory.
