BREAKING NEWS: Real Sociedad overpowered Celta de Vigo 3-1 tonight at a charged Reale Arena, the old Anoeta roaring as Mikel Oyarzabal smashed home the opener with a fierce left-footed strike. La Real owned the key moments. Celta’s big lineup shake-up never fully settled.
The moment that set the tone
The game tilted early. Oyarzabal drifted off the shoulder, took the pass in stride, and ripped a clean shot inside the far post. It was a captain’s finish, full of conviction. The stadium burst. You could feel Real Sociedad relax and then tighten their grip.
La Real pressed with control, not chaos. They picked their spots, won second balls, and kept the ball moving. When they lost it, they recovered in packs. Celta tried to play through the middle, but the gaps were not there. The rhythm belonged to the home side.
Final: Real Sociedad 3, Celta de Vigo 1. Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a driven left-foot shot.
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How La Real took control
Real Sociedad managed the match with smart, simple football. They used width to stretch Celta, then hit quick passes into the box. Their fullbacks pushed high, their midfield closed lanes, and their forwards moved in sync. It was not flashy all the time, but it was steady and dangerous.
Oyarzabal set the standard without the ball as well. He chased, angled runs, and forced hurried clearances. That work bled into the rest of the team. When the game grew messy, La Real stayed calm. When chances appeared, they were ruthless. The second and third goals came from that same blend, clean pressure followed by clear heads in the box.
Celta’s best spells came in short bursts. They found joy when they switched play quickly and targeted the space behind the fullbacks. But those moments were rare. Real Sociedad broke up play early, then built forward again with patience. The hosts did not let the scoreline drift. They kept the tempo high, and the ball in safe spots.
Oyarzabal’s cutting edge
This was a classic Oyarzabal night. Smart movement. Cold finishing. He kept popping up in the tough spaces where defenders hate to turn. When the ball broke loose, he turned half chances into real chances. The opener set the pace, and the rest of La Real followed.
Celta’s big shake up, mixed results
Celta came to San Sebastián with a revamped starting eleven. It was bold, and it brought energy. But it also brought gaps. Early misreads left them chasing runs into their box. When they settled, they looked more dangerous. They pulled one back, but each push forward came with a price, space in behind that Real Sociedad attacked.
Their back line lacked the sharpness you need away from home. The midfield worked hard, yet struggled to string long phases together. In attack, they needed more support for the first runner. A few clever touches opened lanes, but the timing was off. This is what happens when an eleven is still learning its shape under pressure.
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Celta’s rotation shows ambition, but they need a stable core to stop the leaks and finish chances.
What it means right now
This win keeps Real Sociedad building momentum at home. The Reale Arena has felt like a wall again, loud, tight, and unforgiving for visitors. Confidence is back, you can hear it and see it. La Real’s structure looks strong, and their leaders are delivering. Nights like this fuel a push up the table.
For Celta, the search for consistency goes on. The idea is clear, quick ball movement, brave pressing, and fresh legs. Now they need balance. A back line that holds firm. A midfield that keeps the ball longer. And a front three that makes defenders fear every run.
Here are the big takeaways:
- Oyarzabal’s finish flipped the game early, and his work rate kept it tilted.
- La Real won the key moments, especially in transition and on second balls.
- Celta’s overhaul showed promise, but left them open at the worst times.
- Home form is a weapon for Real Sociedad, and it showed again tonight. ⚽
Simple rule in matches like this, control the middle, finish your first chance, and the rest opens up.
Final whistle
As the whistle cut through the night, the message was clear. Real Sociedad look sure of themselves, confident with and without the ball. Oyarzabal gave them the edge, and the team protected it with maturity. Celta leave with questions, and also with pieces to build on. The scoreboard does not lie. La Real owned the moments that matter, and the points stay in San Sebastián.
