MADRID: Real Sociedad moved forward from Real Madrid to the top of La Liga on Saturday after scoring a dramatic last minute winner to beat Real Mallorca, despite playing half a match with 10 men.
Julen Lobet was fired in a post close in the 90th minute to win a 1-0 victory and trigger Pandemonium at the Reale Arena, where fans and players celebrate like they have won the trophy.
“I cried happily,” Lobete said, who covered his face by hand after scoring.
“I can’t describe it.” In happy scenes after the last whistle, the players won 2020 Copa del Rey Trophy – won early this year in the final which was postponed against the Basque Athletic Club rival – in front of their own fans for the first time.
“These players do not lack ambition or beliefs but when fans like that in the reale arena, it’s easier,” said the coach Imanol Aguacil.
“We can celebrate with them, show the cup and live that moment with them.
We know the love they have for the players and from the players for fans.” And while Real Madrid face Barcelona in the first clasico next season, the Real Sociedad match in Champions Reign Atletico Madrid now has more riding on the table.
Atletico also three points behind La Real.
“It’s a good start but only that,” said Aguacil.
“We must continue this way.” With Real Madrid and Atletico both sit outside the weekend match due to extended South American international breaks, Real Sociedad knew they could take the first place by avoiding the defeat of Mallorca being promoted.
But it won a more difficult task when Aihen Munoz was given a second yellow card at the end of the first half, wild hacking at Mallorca Rodrigo Battaglia left his team to play second with a man.
But La Real was never destroyed and instead took sensational winners during injury-time.
Lobete, who came as a substitute, gathered Martin Zubimendi through the ball on the edge of the area and the same as he saw the loss of his balance, he shifted the ball correctly and released.
Mallorca goalkeeper Manolo Reina got a hand on a shot but failed to prevent the ball stretching in the post.
Real Sociedad players rushed to the corner, piled up with each other in the celebration.