Real Sociedad ended an eight-match winless run away from home in LaLiga with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Elche, despite playing the final stages with 10 men.
Job Ochieng scored once and created two more goals as La Real secured their first away win of the season in a match that swung wildly after half-time. The result also extended Elche’s wait for a head-to-head victory over Real Sociedad, with their last success in this fixture coming in April 2015. Since then, Elche have recorded one draw and eight defeats against their opponents.
Real Sociedad made the faster start and went ahead after 11 minutes. Their first corner was only partially cleared, allowing Carlos Soler to float the ball back into the area. Ochieng met it with a powerful right-footed strike which flew into the roof of the net, giving the visitors their first away lead of the campaign.
Luka Sucic tested Matias Dituro from distance soon afterwards, but Elche gradually began to find their rhythm. Facundo Buonanotte, on loan at the club from Brighton, forced Unai Marrero to save from 25 yards, while Ezequiel Ponce sent an effort over the bar from a promising position inside the penalty area.
Real Sociedad doubled their advantage in the 31st minute after a mistake in the home defence. Elche captain Pedro Bigas lost control of the ball, and Ochieng seized possession on the right before setting up Yangel Herrera. Herrera’s first-time effort appeared to lack the power to trouble Dituro, but the ball somehow slipped underneath the goalkeeper and rolled into the bottom corner.
The visitors nearly added a third before the interval when former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Goncalo Guedes broke clear. However, Dituro kept out his attempt while Bigas applied pressure.
The match changed dramatically during a frantic five-minute spell shortly after the hour mark. Real Sociedad appeared to have scored again when Sucic finished past Dituro, but the goal was overturned following a VAR review. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias also sent off substitute Jon Martin for a handball, judging that the offence had denied Elche striker Abiel Osorio a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Elche immediately took advantage of their numerical superiority. Debutant Thomas Lemar, making his first appearance after joining on loan from Atletico de Madrid, reduced the deficit by driving a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The hosts completed their comeback with just over 15 minutes remaining. Tete Morente delivered a volleyed cross into the six-yard box, where Fer Nino guided the ball home with his chest from almost on the goal line.
Elche continued to threaten as Nino and Lucas Cepeda tested Marrero, while Osorio sent a left-footed volley narrowly wide. Yet Real Sociedad, despite their numerical disadvantage, produced one last decisive moment in the 90th minute.
Sucic was not to be denied a second time. He carried the ball into the area before finding the bottom corner with an unstoppable left-footed finish.
Elche still had an opportunity to rescue a point in stoppage time, but Nino’s close-range header was saved at point-blank range by Marrero.
The victory means Real Sociedad carry a three-match unbeaten run into Sunday’s home meeting with Atletico de Madrid. Elche will travel to face Athletic Club on Saturday still looking for their first win of the season. They have also continued their unwanted record of conceding the opening goal in every league match this term.
Fer Nino of Elche was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.