The Reale Arena in San Sebastián was the stage for an intense LaLiga clash on February 7, 2026, as Real Sociedad hosted Elche CF in a match that ultimately underscored the contrasting fortunes of both clubs. Real Sociedad, fresh off a dramatic Copa del Rey semifinal qualification after a 3-2 comeback win over Alavés, entered the fixture riding a wave of confidence and an unbeaten league streak stretching back to December. Elche, meanwhile, arrived with the weight of a difficult season, sitting precariously just two points above the relegation zone and still searching for their first away victory of the campaign.
Kickoff brought an air of cautious optimism for the visitors, who welcomed back Pedro Bigas and Aleix Febas to the starting lineup, bolstered further by the recent addition of midfielder Gonzalo Villar. Yet, the Ilicitanos knew they faced a daunting task: history heavily favored the home side, and Elche’s lack of away success this season (now extended to 11 matches without a win) was a statistic impossible to ignore.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both teams probing for weaknesses but producing little in the way of clear-cut chances. As the match settled into a midfield battle, possession shifted back and forth, each side testing the other’s patience. The first real threat came in the ninth minute, when Elche’s Andre Silva forced a spectacular one-handed save from Real Sociedad’s ever-reliable goalkeeper, Alex Remiro. It was a warning shot that Sociedad heeded quickly.
Despite Elche’s early energy, it was Real Sociedad who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Luca Sucic, showing quick feet and composure, converted at the second attempt after a fast break orchestrated by Gonçalo Guedes. The goal was a gut punch for Elche, who had been holding their own up to that point. Moments later, Elche’s penalty appeals for a challenge on German Valera were waved away, and the visitors’ frustration only deepened when a defensive calamity gifted Sociedad their second. A misjudged back pass left Elche’s keeper Iñaki Peña stranded, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who would later be named Flashscore’s Man of the Match, gleefully slotted into an empty net.
Even with their backs against the wall, Elche showed resilience. Just before halftime, they went direct—‘route one’ football at its finest—and Andre Silva pulled one back with a tidy left-footed finish, giving the traveling supporters a glimmer of hope. The 2-1 scoreline at the break set the stage for a much more open and frantic second half.
Real Sociedad emerged from the interval with renewed urgency, but Elche nearly capitalized on another long ball, only for Remiro to deny Silva once more. The hosts thought they had restored their two-goal cushion when Pablo Marin found the net, but VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside, keeping Elche within striking distance.
The match then truly opened up, with both sides trading attacks and half-chances. Elche, desperate to avoid a third consecutive league defeat, pushed forward with increasing numbers. Their best opportunity came from a slick team move, but Silva’s shot was blocked at the last moment, epitomizing the fine margins that have haunted their season. Real Sociedad, for their part, looked to exploit gaps on the counter, but a combination of wasteful finishing and determined Elche defending kept the score close as the clock ticked down.
As the final quarter hour approached, fatigue and nerves crept in. Gaps appeared all over the pitch, and the game’s tempo became frantic. Orri Oskarsson, introduced as a substitute for Oyarzabal, missed a golden chance from two yards out, much to the disbelief of the home crowd. But football always offers redemption, and in the dying moments of normal time, Oskarsson made amends. Latching onto a clever assist from Jon Gorrotxategi, he fired a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner, sealing a 3-1 victory for Real Sociedad and sending the Reale Arena faithful into celebration.
For Elche, the defeat marked their third straight LaLiga loss—the first time they’ve endured such a streak since April 2023—and extended their winless away run to 11 games (now four draws and seven losses). The Ilicitanos’ struggles were compounded by a series of yellow cards to Gonzalo Villar, Aleix Febas, and Grady Diangana, reflecting the mounting pressure and frustration within the squad. Despite flashes of promise from Silva and some creative moments from Valera and Febas, Elche’s lack of cutting edge in the final third and defensive lapses proved costly once again.
Statistically, the match aligned with both teams’ season trends. Elche, who rank sixth in LaLiga for goals scored (30 in 22 matches), continue to leak goals at an alarming rate—32 conceded, placing them 14th in defensive rankings. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, matched Elche’s offensive output with 30 goals but boast a more balanced goal differential, holding steady at zero and occupying seventh in the league’s goal difference table.
Adria Pedrosa, the subject of pre-match betting interest with odds of +1200 to score, featured as a late substitute for Elche but was unable to make a decisive impact. His season statistics—one goal from four shots (two on target) and an expected goals tally of 0.0—reflect a player still searching for a breakthrough moment. For Real Sociedad, the night was about collective effort and capitalizing on key moments, with Oyarzabal’s leadership and Remiro’s goalkeeping standing out as pillars of their success.
Elche’s coach Eder Sarabia will be left pondering how to arrest his team’s slide, especially with the specter of relegation looming larger after this latest setback. The return of Bigas and Febas, along with Villar’s integration, offers some hope, but the Ilicitanos will need a dramatic turnaround—perhaps even that elusive “200%” effort referenced in pre-match previews—to claw their way to safety.
For Real Sociedad and their supporters, the victory not only extends their undefeated league run but also strengthens their bid for European qualification. With momentum from the Copa del Rey and league form aligning, the txuri-urdines are very much in the hunt for continental football next season. The Reale Arena remains a fortress, and on nights like these, it’s easy to see why.
As the final whistle echoed around San Sebastián, one thing was clear: Real Sociedad’s upward trajectory continues, while Elche’s battle for survival grows ever more desperate. The drama of LaLiga rolls on, and for both clubs, the next chapter promises no shortage of intrigue.