Real Sociedad Advances to Europa League Round of 16 After 27 Years

Real Sociedad, with a brace from Luka Sucic, who had to leave the field due to injury early in the second half, secured their place in the Europa League Round of 16 for the first time in 27 years. They achieved a 7-3 aggregate victory over Midtjylland, demonstrating their superiority over the Danish team. After a 1-2 win in the first leg, Real Sociedad triumphed at home, surpassing a continental knockout stage beyond the preliminary rounds for the first time since November 1998. They will face either Manchester United or Tottenham in the next round.

In a second leg filled with errors from both teams, Real Sociedad took an early lead with two goals, capitalizing on a mistake exploited by Brais Méndez, who also scored in the first leg, and a brilliant play by Oyarzabal, assisted by Barrenetxea and finished by Sucic. However, the match became complicated for Real Sociedad when the Donostia forward committed a penalty. Barrenetxea inadvertently brought down Castillo when the match seemed comfortable for Real Sociedad. Once Midtjylland reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, Imanol's team faltered, allowing the Danish side to regain possession and confidence.

Nerves gripped Real Sociedad, who found themselves with only a one-goal advantage, and Midtjylland managed to equalize, thanks to a left-footed strike from Osorio. Within fifteen minutes, the Danish team had leveled the match, following a slip in the area by Bech that led to Brais's opening goal and the Barrenetxea-Sucic connection that added the second. However, Real Sociedad responded at the end of the first half, stepping up to create and generate chances to avoid suffering after the break.

If it weren't for the visiting goalkeeper and Real Sociedad's lack of precision, the Basque team would have secured their place in the Round of 16 much earlier. Lössl made two remarkable saves in quick succession before Sucic, just before halftime, delivered the final blow to Midtjylland. Despite the absence of suspended players Zubimendi and Aramburu, and with Kubo being inconspicuous in the return leg at Anoeta after his stunning goal in Denmark, Real Sociedad always managed to control their opponent in the second half.

Everything became even easier when Midtjylland was reduced to ten men after Dani Silva was sent off with a direct red card for a reckless tackle on Zubeldia. Oyarzabal aimed to be the protagonist again by provoking and scoring the fourth goal from the penalty spot, and with the opponent surrendered, his substitute, Óskarsson, completed the rout for a team revitalized by the double encounter against Midtjylland.