The Real Sociedad put on an impressive display at the Reale Arena, defeating Midtjylland 5-2 on February 20, 2025, to secure their place in the round of 16 of the Europa League. After edging their Danish rivals with a 2-1 victory in the first leg, the txuri-urdin came out strong, eager to seal the deal at home.
Brais Méndez opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a defensive error from Midtjylland. Just five minutes had passed when the forward easily pushed the ball past the goalkeeper, taking advantage of Mads Bech's slip and misplaced back pass. Shortly after, at the 18-minute mark, Luka Sucic found the net, showcasing the potent attacking combination from Real Sociedad.
Midtjylland tried to respond and pulled one back through Adam Buksa, who converted their penalty successfully before Darío Osorio equalized, leaving the game at 2-2. This momentarily shifted the momentum, putting the home team on alert. Just before halftime, Sucic struck again, reinforcing the home side's lead to 3-2 at the break.
After halftime, the Real continued their assault. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot at the 73rd minute after being fouled inside the box, increasing the tally to 4-2. Finally, Orri Óskarsson capped off the scoring with a well-placed shot, pouncing on the loose ball to seal the win.
Coach Imanol Alguacil was pleased with the result, noting his team's resilience and ability to handle pressure effectively. “We knew we had to deliver today, and the players showed great character throughout the match,” stated Alguacil post-game.
Despite the defeat, Midtjylland showed moments of promise, particularly with Buksa's efforts. Coach Thomas Thomasberg acknowledged the challenges faced by his players: “We had our chances, but it just wasn't our night. We'll learn from this and come back stronger.”
The match drew 27,728 fans, who watched their team advance to the next stage amid tremendous excitement. Both teams displayed spirited performances, but it was the home team who triumphed, ensuring their name remains prominent as their European campaign continues.
Looking forward, Real Sociedad will focus on maintaining their current momentum as they prepare for upcoming matches, including their Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Madrid. Fans can expect the team to carry the confidence gained from this impressive win.