Real Sociedad Hold Off Levante to Extend Winning Run

Real Sociedad produced another strong league performance at the Reale Arena on Sunday as they defeated Levante 2-1 to collect another three points and continue their impressive run of form.

The victory was built on a productive first half, with Orri Óskarsson and Beñat Turrientes finding the net for the home side. Levante managed to respond through Nacho Pérez, but Real Sociedad recovered quickly and held on through the second half to secure the win.

Real Sociedad made their intentions clear from the opening minutes. The hosts moved the ball with purpose and put Levante under pressure before taking the lead after only six minutes. Óskarsson finished from close range after Héctor Fort delivered a dangerous ball into the area, giving the home supporters an early reason to celebrate.

The early goal reflected the way Real Sociedad approached the contest. They looked comfortable in possession and continued to push forward rather than sitting back after taking the lead. Their pressure also created several opportunities around the Levante penalty area.

However, Levante showed that they were not prepared to allow the game to get away from them. The visitors found a way back into the contest in the 22nd minute when Nacho Pérez finished at the far post after Thiago Fernández provided the delivery. The equaliser changed the mood of the match and gave Levante renewed belief.

Real Sociedad’s response was immediate. Just five minutes after Levante levelled, Turrientes restored the advantage with a composed left-footed finish. Gonçalo Guedes supplied the pass, allowing the midfielder to place his effort inside the post and put his side back in front before the half-hour mark.

That second goal proved decisive because Real Sociedad remained ahead for the rest of the match. Although Levante continued to compete, the home side controlled much of the territory and prevented their opponents from creating enough clear opportunities to find another equaliser.

The statistics underline Real Sociedad’s control. They finished with 62 percent possession compared with Levante’s 38 percent and attempted 17 shots, while the visitors managed six. The hosts also had 14 attempts from inside the box, showing how often they were able to move the ball into dangerous areas.

Despite that dominance, Real Sociedad were unable to put the game beyond doubt. The hosts registered three shots on target and missed four big chances, while Levante had two efforts on target and missed one big chance. That lack of ruthlessness meant the visitors remained within one goal until the final whistle.

Óskarsson was particularly involved in the attacking play. After scoring the opener, the Icelandic forward continued to look for another goal and had further opportunities during the match. He eventually left the field in the 85th minute, with Arsen Zakharyan coming on in his place.

The second half was more cautious than the first. Real Sociedad still carried the greater threat, while both teams introduced fresh legs as the minutes passed.

The home side had opportunities to make the result more comfortable. Gonçalo Guedes went close after the restart, while Real Sociedad created further openings that could have settled the contest earlier. Instead, Levante remained alive in the game and forced their hosts to stay focused until the closing stages.

Real Sociedad’s defence and midfield deserve credit for maintaining their concentration. The team did not allow Levante to turn their late pressure into a decisive opportunity, and the hosts managed the final stages effectively. The result also continued their excellent sequence in the league, with the victory reported as their fourth consecutive league win.

For Levante, the defeat was another frustrating result. They showed character by recovering from the early setback and equalising, but their inability to build on that moment ultimately cost them. With only six shots across the match, they struggled to create enough sustained attacking pressure against a Real Sociedad side that controlled possession.

Man of the Match: Beñat Turrientes

Beñat Turrientes was the standout performer for Real Sociedad and played a central role in securing the three points. His importance was highlighted by the winning goal, but his contribution went beyond simply finding the net.

The midfielder showed composure when the opportunity arrived in the 27th minute. With Real Sociedad needing a response after Levante’s equaliser, Turrientes stepped forward and produced the finish that restored the home side’s lead. His left-footed effort found the bottom corner and gave his team the platform it needed to see out the match.

Turrientes was also involved in the midfield battle as Real Sociedad looked to control the tempo. His ability to contribute on the ball helped the hosts maintain their advantage, while his positioning allowed the team to keep pressure on Levante when possession was recovered.

His performance was recognised by Flashscore, which named Turrientes its Man of the Match. Sofascore also listed him as Real Sociedad’s highest-rated player, giving him a 7.6 rating for his display.

Although Óskarsson deserved praise for opening the scoring and remaining a constant attacking threat, Turrientes ultimately had the biggest influence on the result. His goal restored Real Sociedad’s lead at a crucial moment and became the decisive strike of the afternoon.

The victory leaves Real Sociedad with another important result as they continue to challenge near the top end of LaLiga. They showed attacking quality, controlled possession and created enough chances to have won by a wider margin. The main concern will be their failure to finish more of those opportunities.

Still, the most important outcome was achieved. Real Sociedad protected their 2-1 advantage, extended their winning run and moved forward with confidence. For Turrientes, the decisive goal and influential midfield display made him a worthy Man of the Match as his side continued its push among LaLiga’s leading teams.

The result demonstrated the difference between controlling a match and closing it out. Real Sociedad had enough possession and attacking territory to create a comfortable cushion, yet Levante’s single-goal deficit kept the pressure alive. That made every defensive decision important as the visitors searched for a second equaliser.

For manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, the performance will offer plenty of encouragement. His side reacted well to Levante’s equaliser, restored the lead quickly and then showed enough discipline to protect it. The three points were especially valuable because Real Sociedad’s ability to keep winning is strengthening their position in the race for European football.

Levante, meanwhile, can take some positives from their response after falling behind so early. They did not collapse and created moments of danger, but they needed greater efficiency in possession and more attacking pressure if they were going to leave San Sebastián with a point.