Real Sociedad delivered a masterclass in second-half resilience on Saturday night, overturning a deficit to secure a commanding 3-1 away victory against CA Osasuna at El Sadar in LaLiga Matchday 13. The result marked a crucial turning point for the Txuri-urdin, who showcased their attacking prowess after a sluggish opening 45 minutes.
A Slow Burn That Ignited in the Second Half
The match began with Osasuna creating the first real opportunity, as forward Raúl García found himself in a dangerous one-on-one situation against Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro. However, the shot-stopper made himself big and denied the home side's early threat. Real Sociedad responded with controlled possession, but the first half remained relatively quiet in terms of clear-cut chances—until Osasuna struck late.
Defender
Alejandro Catena rose highest from a corner kick in the 42nd minute to power a header past Herrera, giving Los Rojillos a 1-0 lead heading into the break. It appeared Osasuna might be heading toward a crucial three points against a struggling Real Sociedad side.
The Txuri-urdin's Explosive Second-Half Transformation
Everything changed after the interval. Real Sociedad emerged from the dressing room with
renewed intensity and purpose, completely dominating possession and creating wave after wave of attacking opportunities. The visitors' patience and quality finally paid dividends just eight minutes into the second half.
Midfielder
Brais Méndez fired a shot that deflected off defender Juan Cruz and found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 53rd minute. The momentum had decisively shifted. Just six minutes later, Portuguese winger
Gonçalo Guedes put Real Sociedad ahead with a clinical left-footed strike in the 59th minute, making it 1-2.
Osasuna fought back valiantly, with García testing Remiro with a powerful shot and midfielder Aimar attempting to equalize from inside the box, but the Real Sociedad goalkeeper stood firm. The decisive blow came in the 82nd minute when
Ander Barrenetxea produced a moment of pure brilliance, striking from just inside the halfway line—an
incredible 35-yard wonder goal that sent the traveling support into raptures and sealed the 3-1 victory.
Late Drama and Final Whistle
The closing stages saw Osasuna's
Iñigo Arguibide receive a straight red card in the 87th minute, effectively ending any hopes of a dramatic comeback. Referee Mateo Busquets also issued yellow cards to Aimar and Catena for Osasuna, while Brais Méndez and Jon Martín were cautioned for Real Sociedad.
What This Means
The victory lifts Real Sociedad to
16 points from their 4-4-5 record, while Osasuna remains in a precarious position with just
11 points from 3-2-8. For Real Sociedad, this away triumph represents a crucial confidence boost and demonstrates their ability to overcome adversity. For Osasuna, the loss compounds their struggles this season, and manager Alessio Lisci acknowledged the disappointment, stating:
"I empathize with the fans, I apologize, and I promise we will give everything to change this."Real Sociedad's second-half performance will serve as a blueprint for their upcoming fixtures, proving that quality and composure can overcome early setbacks in LaLiga's demanding landscape.
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LaLiga 25-26 Osasuna vs Real Sociedad Highlights2.
Osasuna Falls to Real Sociedad 3-1 - Official Match Report3.
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Sky Sports - Barrenetxea Wonder Strike Video
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7. Real Sociedad's Ander Barrenetxea stuns CA Osasuna ...
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13. Osasuna v Real Sociedad 22/11/2025 | Football
