The Reale Arena in San Sebastián was buzzing with anticipation on February 7, 2026, as Real Sociedad hosted Elche CF in a LaLiga matchup that pitted two teams on very different trajectories. While Real Sociedad entered the contest riding high after a thrilling Copa del Rey semifinal qualification and an unbeaten league run stretching back to December, Elche arrived desperate to snap a winless away streak and distance themselves from the relegation zone. By the final whistle, it was the home side who maintained their momentum, securing a convincing 3-1 victory and keeping their European qualification hopes alive.
Coming off an epic 3-2 comeback against Alavés in the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad’s confidence was palpable. Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, mindful of the congested fixture list, opted for some rotations, but his squad showed little sign of fatigue. The txuri-urdines, as they’re affectionately known, have been a force at home, and their form since December has made them a legitimate threat for a top-six finish. Meanwhile, Elche, led by Eder Sarabia, faced mounting pressure. Sitting just two points above the drop zone and yet to notch an away win all season, the Ilicitanos needed a result to steady their campaign.
Elche did get a boost with the return of Pedro Bigas and Aleix Febas, as well as the addition of Gonzalo Villar to their lineup. But even with those reinforcements, the visitors faced an uphill battle against a Real Sociedad side that had scored 30 goals and conceded just as many in 22 matches, holding seventh place in LaLiga’s goal differential standings. Elche, for their part, had managed 30 goals but allowed 32, ranking 10th in goal differential and highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.
The match kicked off at 21:00 local time (3:00 PM ET), with fans eager to see if Elche could finally break their away drought. But it didn’t take long for Real Sociedad to assert themselves. The hosts pressed forward with intent, and their efforts paid off midway through the first half. Luka Sucic opened the scoring, finishing off a swift counterattack with a precise left-footed shot to the bottom left corner after being set up by Gonçalo Guedes. The early goal set the tone, and Real Sociedad continued to press their advantage.
Mikel Oyarzabal doubled the lead before halftime, drilling a right-footed shot from outside the box to the center of the net. The crowd erupted—Oyarzabal’s strike was a testament to his growing influence in the squad and further evidence of Real Sociedad’s attacking depth. Elche, however, refused to fold. Just before the break, André Silva gave the visitors hope, slotting home a left-footed effort from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. The goal, coming after a well-worked corner, trimmed the deficit to 2-1 and gave Elche a lifeline heading into the interval.
The second half saw both sides trade chances, with Elche showing flashes of promise. Aleix Febas forced a save from Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro, and André Silva continued to probe the home defense. But the hosts, buoyed by their raucous supporters, remained dangerous on the counterattack. The match was not without controversy—Pablo Marín thought he had restored Real Sociedad’s two-goal cushion, only for VAR to rule out his effort for offside. Despite the setback, the home side kept their composure.
Elche’s struggles were compounded by disciplinary issues. Gonzalo Villar received a yellow card for a bad foul, and Grady Diangana also found his name in the book. Substitutions came thick and fast as both managers looked to influence the contest—Orri Óskarsson replaced Mikel Oyarzabal for Real Sociedad, while Elche brought on Lucas Cepeda and Pedro Bigas in search of stability at the back and fresh legs in attack.
The game’s final act belonged to Real Sociedad. As the clock ticked into the dying minutes, Orri Óskarsson sealed the win with a well-taken right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Jon Gorrotxategi. The third goal sent the Reale Arena faithful into celebration and put the result beyond doubt. “We knew we had to be at our best to keep this run going,” said Oyarzabal after the match, reflecting the team’s determination to maintain their league momentum. The fourth official announced four minutes of added time, but Elche could not muster a late surge.
Statistically, the match underscored the gulf between the sides. Real Sociedad’s attacking prowess was on full display, and their defensive organization limited Elche’s opportunities. The visitors managed several shots on target and forced Remiro into action, but their finishing lacked the clinical edge needed to trouble a team of Real Sociedad’s caliber. Adria Pedrosa, who had odds of +1200 to score prior to kickoff, was unable to find the net, though he did contribute to Elche’s attacking efforts with a blocked shot and a handful of promising runs down the flank. Pedrosa’s season tally remains at one goal from four shots, with two on target—a statistic that highlights both his potential and the challenges facing Elche’s offense.
For Elche, the defeat leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone, still searching for that elusive first away victory of the campaign. The return of Bigas, Febas, and the addition of Villar provided some positives, but the team’s inability to convert chances and prevent goals remains a pressing concern. Sarabia’s men will need to regroup quickly as the battle to avoid the drop intensifies in the coming weeks.
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, can take plenty of encouragement from their performance. The victory extends their unbeaten run in LaLiga and keeps them firmly in the hunt for European football next season. With the Copa del Rey semifinals on the horizon and league form holding steady, optimism is running high in San Sebastián. The depth of Matarazzo’s squad, highlighted by effective substitutions and contributions from across the lineup, bodes well for the challenges ahead.
As the final whistle blew, the Reale Arena faithful could celebrate another step forward in a season full of promise. For Elche, the road gets tougher, but with key players returning and plenty of matches left, hope is not yet lost. The LaLiga campaign rolls on, with both clubs facing pivotal fixtures in the weeks to come.