Elche 2-3 Real Sociedad: Sučić strikes late after Ochieng inspires visitors

Real Sociedad defeated Elche 3-2 in La Liga on Monday, recovering from a late Elche comeback to secure victory with Luka Sučić’s 90th-minute goal. The visitors led 2-0 at half-time, but Elche levelled after the break before Real Sociedad found a decisive response.

Real Sociedad establish early control

Real Sociedad took the lead in the 11th minute when Job Ochieng converted Carlos Soler’s assist. Ochieng then turned provider in the 31st minute, setting up Yangel Herrera for the second goal. Those two strikes gave the visitors a firm advantage at the interval and reflected their greater efficiency in front of goal.

Elche received a yellow card for Tete Morente before the break, while Jon Aramburu had already been booked for Real Sociedad. The match’s major disciplinary turning point came in the 64th minute, when Jon Martin was sent off for the visitors. The numerical disadvantage changed the momentum and gave Elche the opportunity to respond.

Elche’s comeback falls short

Thomas Lemar pulled one back for Elche in the 67th minute, finishing from Víctor Chust’s assist. Seven minutes later, Fernando Niño Rodríguez completed the comeback by converting Tete Morente’s delivery to make it 2-2. Elche’s substitutions had helped refresh the attack, with Abiel Alessio Osorio and Lemar introduced in the 55th minute.

Despite conceding twice after the red card, Real Sociedad held on long enough to regain the lead. Sučić scored in the 90th minute from another Ochieng assist, ending Elche’s revival and confirming a 3-2 away win. Lemar was booked after the goal, while Abiel Alessio Osorio and Germán Valera also received yellow cards for Elche.

Statistics favour Elche, result favours Sociedad

The scoreline did not fully reflect the balance of possession or attacking volume. Elche had 58% of the ball, completed 439 accurate passes compared with Real Sociedad’s 300, and produced 20 total shots to the visitors’ 13. Elche also registered 10 shots on target, while Real Sociedad had six.

However, Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper Unai Marrero made eight saves, helping his side withstand sustained pressure. He was one of the match’s standout performers with a rating of 8.1, while Ochieng led all players with an 8.9 rating after scoring once, providing two assists and creating three key passes.

League position and form

The current La Liga standings list Real Sociedad 14th with four points from four games, a record of one win, one draw and two losses. Elche are 19th with one point from three games, having drawn once and lost twice. The result gives Real Sociedad a win after a run listed as loss, loss, win and draw, while Elche remain without a victory in their recorded draw, loss and loss sequence.