Real Sociedad into Champions League

Carlos Vela’s double gave Real Sociedad a 2-0 on the night, 4-0 on aggregate win over Lyon to take them into the Champions League.

Jagoba Arrasate was able to name Antoine Griezmann in his starting XI for the game at Anoeta, after the young winger passed a late fitness. Whilst Vela and Haris Seferovic were the men tasked with firing the Basques into the tournament proper.

It was the away side though that got off to the brighter start, with Gueida Fofana striking at goal within the first two minutes. It wasn’t enough to trouble Claudio Bravo in goal, but their dominance in possession was causing a few headaches.

La Real were using their pace on the counter-attack to great effect however, and almost opened the scoring after just 10 minutes. A through-ball from Seferovic found Griezmann, but the youngster’s finish was a poor one, and Remi Garde’s side breathed a sigh of relief.

The Ligue 1 side continued to have the lion’s share of possession, but lacked a real cutting edge and never threatened the home goal with any intent.

Vela went close from a well-worked corner on the half hour mark, and should have chipped Anthony Lopes late on, but both sides went into the break goalless.

After the break, the hosts continued to create the best opportunities, and almost put the tie to bed straight away, only for Seferovic to smash the inside of the post from close-range.

The Swiss striker missed another golden opportunity on the hour mark when his effort slid wide of the post following a quick counter-attack, but it didn’t matter, as just seven minutes later Vela was there to head home unmarked from a Griezmann corner.

The match petered out after that, but there was still enough time for Vela to gather the ball late on a cheekily dink the ball over Lopes in the Lyon goal to put a sheen on the result.

Real Sociedad 2-0 Lyon

Scorers: Vela 67, 91 (RS)

Real Sociedad: Bravo; Estrada, Ansotegi, I.Martinez, De La Bella; M.Bergara (Elustondo 84), X.Prieto (Chory 78), Zurutuza; Seferovic, Vela, Griezmann (Granero 72)

 Lyon: Lopes; M.Lopes, B.Kone, Umtiti, Bedimo; Fofana, Gonalons (Ferri 85); Grenier, Gourcuff (Bahlouli 77), Benzia (Fekir 46); Lacazette

Tags Lyon
La Liga - Club News