Sucic Rescues Real Sociedad and Ends Elche’s Comeback Hopes

Luka Sucic’s 89th-minute goal gave Real Sociedad its first away victory of the Spanish top-flight season and denied Elche a comeback it had begun to believe in.

Real Sociedad controlled the first half and built a two-goal lead. Ochieng opened the scoring after a corner, taking advantage of a defensive gap to beat Dituro from close range. The visitors then doubled their advantage when Bigas mishandled the ball in a dangerous area, allowing Ochieng to set up Yangel Herrera for a shot that slipped under the Argentine goalkeeper.

Elche came back into the match through the movement of Buonanotte and Fer Niño, while the introduction of Lemar and Osorio brought more energy and quality after halftime. The match appeared to turn in the 61st minute when Sucic finished a counterattack, but the goal was disallowed for a handball by Jon Martín at the start of the move. Martín was shown a straight red card.

With Real Sociedad reduced to 10 men, Elche attacked more aggressively. Lemar pulled the hosts back into the match five minutes later, and Elche eventually leveled the score. But when Real Sociedad was under its greatest pressure, Sucic struck again in the 89th minute to settle the game.

Elche had changed its usual approach, starting with two forwards for the first time this season, while Pellegrino Matarazzo made six changes to the lineup. The defeat left Elche still searching for its first win of the campaign.