FC Midtjylland Delivers Harsh Reality Check to Basque Side in Europa League Elimination

Real Sociedad have advanced to the UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 for the second time in three years, following a commanding 5-2 win (7-3 on aggregate) against a determined FC Midtjylland at the Reale Arena.

After securing a 2-1 victory in Denmark a week prior, Sociedad were anticipated to assert their dominance early on. They did just that, taking the lead within five minutes. Ousmane Diao’s underwhelming pass to Mads Bech Sørensen was intercepted when the defender stumbled, allowing Brais Méndez to seize the opportunity and score the opener, mirroring his first-leg performance.

The Basque club maintained their momentum, doubling their advantage in the 18th minute. A brilliant pass from Mikel Oyarzabal found Ander Barrenetxea, who then rolled the ball across the box for Luka Sučić to tap in with ease.

It seemed Midtjylland were in for a difficult evening. However, against the run of play, they pulled one back from the penalty spot. Barrenetxea was adjudged to have barely touched Denil Castillo inside the area. Despite the theatrics, Adam Buksa coolly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner, sending Álex Remiro the wrong way.

To the shock of the home crowd, the visitors levelled the match a quarter of an hour later. Méndez’s error allowed Pedro Bravo to find Darío Osorio, who, after a flick from Buksa, unleashed a powerful shot at the near post using the outside of his boot.

Sociedad responded well, regaining the lead just before half-time. Takefusa Kubo’s corner was poorly cleared and, taking a touch, Sučić sent a powerful strike past Lössl to restore their lead. The first half had set a high bar for excitement, though Aritz Elustondo really ought to have added to the scoreline when a chance fell his way at the top of the box, but he sent it narrowly wide.

The second half witnessed a moment of controversy when Dani Silva aggressively challenged Igor Zubeldia, leaving the referee with a decision to make after a previous foul from Zubeldia.

That was not the pivotal moment, however; just a minute later, Sociedad was awarded a penalty when Juninho fouled Oyarzabal. The Basque skipper confidently converted, placing the ball into the far-left corner, leaving Lössl stranded.

Midtjylland recognised their hopes had faded, and further punishment was on the horizon. Substitute Arsen Zakharyan provided a cross from the left, which Orri Óskarsson met at close range, claiming his fourth European goal. Ultimately, Sociedad enjoyed a comfortable victory, marking their first home win in a European knockout tie post-Christmas this century.

As a ‘reward’, they will now face either Premier League heavyweights Tottenham or Manchester United, both of whom remain among the bookies’ UEL favourites, despite their struggles in league play this season.