La Real Se Divierte en Canarias: A Dominant Performance in the Canary Islands
In a thrilling display of attacking football, Real Sociedad walked away from their away match against UD Las Palmas with a convincing 4-0 victory. The match, held in the beautiful Canary Islands at the Estadio Gran Canaria, showcased the brilliance of Imanol Alguacil’s side, who put on an exceptional show of skill, control, and precision. This resounding win was a testament to the growing confidence and power of the team, as they made a clear statement in their pursuit of European qualification this season.
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From the very first whistle, La Real demonstrated their superiority, controlling possession, dictating the pace of the game, and providing a masterclass in finishing. Las Palmas, despite their best efforts, struggled to cope with the fluidity and intensity of the visitors’ play. The match not only highlighted Real Sociedad’s attacking potency but also emphasized their defensive resilience, keeping a clean sheet while showcasing their tactical discipline.
In this article, we will delve into the key moments of the match, analyze the standout performances, and explore what this victory means for Real Sociedad as they continue their pursuit of glory in La Liga.
1. A Dominant Start: La Real’s Early Control
1.1 Real Sociedad’s Tactics and Strategy
From the outset, it was clear that Real Sociedad had come to the Canary Islands with a purpose. Imanol Alguacil, the manager, set his team up with a balanced approach: a solid defense, an expansive midfield, and a fluid attack. With a 4-3-3 formation, La Real dominated possession, using quick passing and movement to break down Las Palmas’ defensive lines.
David Silva, one of the standout players in the match, orchestrated much of the attacking play from midfield, linking up with Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi to dictate the tempo. The team’s pressing high up the pitch ensured that Las Palmas never had a chance to settle into the game, forcing errors and creating turnovers that led to several promising opportunities.
1.2 Early Chances and Pressure
Real Sociedad quickly made their intentions clear, and within the first 10 minutes, they had already created a couple of dangerous chances. The first came from a brilliantly delivered corner by Silva, which was met by Alexander Sorloth. The towering Norwegian striker’s header was well-saved by Las Palmas’ goalkeeper, Alvaro Valles, but it was an early indication of what was to come.
Minutes later, Takefusa Kubo, who had been in scintillating form this season, was involved in several attacking moves, stretching the defense with his pace and trickery. The Japanese winger’s ability to glide past defenders on the right-wing was a constant threat, and Las Palmas struggled to keep him under control.
2. Real Sociedad Break the Deadlock
2.1 A Brilliant Goal from Sorloth
The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute through a well-executed team goal. Mikel Merino, who had been playing a more advanced role in the midfield, made a decisive pass to David Silva, who deftly flicked the ball into the path of Alexander Sorloth. The striker, who has been in fine form this season, showed composure and coolness in front of goal as he calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give La Real a deserved lead.
This goal was a perfect example of Real Sociedad’s attacking fluidity, with several players involved in a move that involved quick thinking, precise passing, and intelligent movement off the ball. Sorloth’s goal not only gave his team the lead but also set the tone for the rest of the match.
2.2 Las Palmas Struggling to Respond
After conceding, UD Las Palmas tried to mount a response, but they found themselves unable to break through Real Sociedad’s well-organized defense. Aritz Elustondo and Robin Le Normand were solid at the back, keeping the Canaries’ attackers at bay. Las Palmas’ Javier Hernández, who had been a bright spark for the team this season, struggled to get involved in the game due to the immense pressure from La Real’s midfield and defense.
The home side’s frustration grew as they failed to generate any meaningful attacks. Despite having some possession, Las Palmas lacked the cutting edge needed to break down Real Sociedad’s resolute defense. As the half-time whistle blew, it was clear that La Real had taken full control of the match.
3. Second Half: La Real Double Their Lead
3.1 Sorloth Strikes Again
The second half started with Real Sociedad continuing where they left off in the first, dominating possession and looking dangerous going forward. It wasn’t long before they doubled their advantage in the 55th minute, and once again, it was Alexander Sorloth who found the back of the net. This time, it was a brilliant counter-attack that caught Las Palmas off guard.
The move started with David Silva intercepting a loose ball in the midfield. He quickly released the ball to Takefusa Kubo, who sprinted down the right-wing, using his pace to beat his marker. Kubo’s low cross found Sorloth, who finished with precision, firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net. The goal, which came so quickly after the restart, was a crushing blow to Las Palmas, who had hoped to regroup and find a way back into the game.
3.2 Las Palmas’ Defensive Struggles
After conceding their second goal, Las Palmas struggled even more defensively. They looked disorganized and vulnerable to Real Sociedad’s quick transitions. Manuel Márquez, the Las Palmas manager, tried to make tactical changes by introducing fresh legs in the form of Alberto Moleiro and Jesé Rodríguez, but they had little impact on the game. Real Sociedad continued to win the ball high up the pitch, making it increasingly difficult for Las Palmas to play out from the back.
3.3 La Real’s Midfield Dominance
The second half also saw Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi continue to control the midfield. Both players were exceptional in winning possession and distributing the ball quickly to the attacking players. Merino, in particular, was the engine of Real Sociedad’s midfield, constantly looking for opportunities to break through Las Palmas’ defensive lines with incisive passes.
4. The Final Nail in the Coffin: A Perfect Finish
4.1 A Third Goal from Kubo
In the 68th minute, Takefusa Kubo finally got his reward for his excellent performance with a goal of his own. Kubo, who had been a constant threat on the right-wing, made a cutting run inside and received a beautifully weighted pass from David Silva. With defenders closing in on him, Kubo showed composure to take a touch and then fire the ball into the top corner of the net, giving Real Sociedad a commanding 3-0 lead.
Kubo’s goal was a culmination of his constant pressure and intelligent positioning throughout the match. His ability to cut inside from the wing and find space in dangerous areas was a key factor in La Real’s attacking success.
4.2 Las Palmas Defeated: No Response
With a three-goal cushion, Real Sociedad cruised to the finish line. Las Palmas, unable to break down their opponents, continued to struggle in attack. They were reduced to long-range efforts that rarely troubled Álex Remiro, Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper, who had a quiet evening in goal due to his defense’s solid performance.
The match was effectively sealed when Mikel Oyarzabal scored the fourth goal in the final minutes of the match. Oyarzabal, who had come on as a substitute, latched onto a loose ball inside the penalty box and finished expertly past the Las Palmas goalkeeper to make it 4-0. The goal further cemented Real Sociedad’s dominance and ensured that they would leave the Canary Islands with all three points.
5. Conclusion: Real Sociedad’s Impressive Victory
Real Sociedad’s 4-0 win over Las Palmas was a perfect example of what this team is capable of when they play to their potential. Their attacking display, led by Alexander Sorloth, Takefusa Kubo, and David Silva, was clinical and efficient. Meanwhile, their defensive organization, led by Robin Le Normand and Aritz Elustondo, was equally impressive, ensuring that Las Palmas had no real chances to threaten their goal.
This victory is another important step in Real Sociedad’s pursuit of European qualification this season. With their tactical discipline, fluid attacking play, and the form of their key players, La Real is positioning itself as a strong contender for a Champions League spot in La Liga. For Las Palmas, it was a humbling defeat, but they will look to bounce back and continue their fight for survival in the league.
As for Real Sociedad, this dominant performance will surely give them added confidence as they head into their next challenges.
