Real Sociedad win 3-2 against Elche at Estadio Martínez Valero.

The LaLiga encounter between Elche and Real Sociedad unfolded on 7 September 2026 at the Estadio Martínez Valero in Elche. Both sides entered the match looking to claim three points, and the atmosphere was charged as the home crowd anticipated a competitive showdown.

How it unfolded

The opening stages saw Real Sociedad’s Jon Aramburu booked for a bad foul in the ninth minute, setting an early disciplinary tone. Just two minutes later, the visitors took the lead when Job Ochieng struck from a difficult angle on the right, finishing a corner delivered by Carlos Soler to the top right corner (11').

Real Sociedad doubled their advantage at the half-hour mark when Yangel Herrera fired home from the right side of the box, the move created by an assist from Job Ochieng (31').

Elche’s first booking arrived before the break, with José Antonio Morente shown yellow for a bad foul in the 43rd minute. The second half began with Elche’s Abiel Osorio receiving a yellow card in the 57th minute.

The game's momentum shifted dramatically in the 64th minute when Real Sociedad’s Jon Martín was sent off with a straight red card, leaving the visitors to continue with ten men for the remainder of the match.

Three minutes later, Elche responded through Thomas Lemar, who curled a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Víctor Chust (67'). The home side then saw Germán Valera booked for a foul in the 68th minute.

Elche equalised in the 74th minute as Fer Niño (Fernando Niño) tapped home from very close range after a precise pass from Tete Morente (José Antonio Morente) (74').

The decisive blow came in the final minute of normal time when Luka Sucic, on the left foot, slotted the ball from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner, again benefiting from an assist by Job Ochieng (90').

In injury time, Thomas Lemar received a second yellow, this time for a bad foul, and was dismissed with a booking in the 90+7 minute.

Standout performers

  • Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad) – scored the opening goal and provided two assists (31' and 90'), directly influencing three of the five goals.
  • Carlos Soler (Real Sociedad) – delivered the corner that set up Ochieng’s early strike.
  • Yangel Herrera (Real Sociedad) – added the second goal with a well-timed finish.
  • Thomas Lemar (Elche) – scored the first goal for the hosts and was involved in the late disciplinary incident.
  • Víctor Chust (Elche) – supplied the decisive pass for Lemar’s goal.
  • José Antonio Morente (Elche) – contributed the assist for Fernando Niño’s equaliser.
  • Fernando Niño (Elche) – netted the equalising goal.
  • Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad) – secured the winning goal in the 90th minute.

Match facts

  • Final score: Elche 2-3 Real Sociedad
  • Scorers: Job Ochieng (11'), Yangel Herrera (31'), Thomas Lemar (67'), Fernando Niño (74'), Luka Sucic (90')
  • Assists: Carlos Soler (11'), Job Ochieng (31', 90'), Víctor Chust (67'), José Antonio Morente (74')
  • Bookings: Jon Aramburu (9'), José Antonio Morente (43'), Abiel Osorio (57'), Germán Valera (68'), Thomas Lemar (90'+7')
  • Sending-off: Jon Martín (64') – straight red (Real Sociedad)
  • Venue: Estadio Martínez Valero, Elche

What it means

Real Sociedad’s 3-2 victory demonstrates their ability to recover from a numerical disadvantage and clinch three points, while Elche’s comeback fell short, leaving them on the losing side of a tightly contested LaLiga match.