A 43rd-minute strike from Martin Odegaard has Real Sociedad a narrow edge over Mirandes in their Copa del Rey semi-final tie as La Real ran out 2-1 victors in the first leg on Thursday night at the Reale Arena.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but the Segunda Division side would answer through Matheus. However, La Real would regain a lead they would never relinquish through the Real Madrid loanee, giving the Basque side a small advantage heading into next month's return leg.
La Real got off to a quick start by taking a lead inside the first 10 minutes from the penalty spot. Portu arrived to a loose ball in the area a split-second before Odei Onaindia, who clattered into the Real Sociedad attacker, resulting in referee Jesus Gil Manano pointing to the spot. Oyarzabal stepped up and stroked a left-footed shot past Mirandes goalkeeper Limones to make it 1-0.
Mirandes looked to get back on even terms, with most of their attacks being channelled through Martin Merquelanz, who is curiously on loan from Real Sociedad, and Alvaro Rey down the flanks. But it was some heads-up play from Mickael Malsa that brought the Mirandes equaliser as he swooped in to intercept an under-hit pass in the Real Sociedad half and fed Matheus, who took a touch before firing in a shot that glanced off Nacho Monreal and rolled into net to level the score 1-1.
La Real would come roaring back, though, and regained the lead before half-time. Odegaard was having a quiet half but came alive toward the end when he forced Limones into parrying a shot from outside the area. The rebound fell right to Portu, who looked set to score, however Limones came up with a big-time save. Yet there was nothing the Mirandes shot-stopper could do to stop the follow-up effort from Odegaard, as the Norwegian rocketed home for a 2-1 advantage.
The second half picked up where the first left off and Limones had to be on his toes to block a blast from Portu, while at the other end Alex Remiro did well to fist away a heavy hit from Antonio Sanchez.
Mirandes were going toe-to-toe with the hosts and an excellent build-up move ended with a chance off a cross from Alexander Gonzalez, only to see Merquelanz send his shot into the heavens.
The final 20 minutes were a tight, intense affair, with Mirandes content to waste time but still willing to move forward and create chances, while La Real were keen to tack on an insurance goal before the final whistle.
The best look came in the final seconds of stoppage time when Mirandes midfielder Jon Guridi, another player on loan from La Real, almost headed in an own goal off a free-kick. In the end, the two teams would settle for the 2-1 final, leaving their semi-final tie wide open going into the second leg at the Estadio Municipal de Anduva.
Match Sheet:
2.- Real Sociedad: Remiro; Zaldua, Artiz (Guevara, min. 68), Le Normand, Monreal; Mikel Merino, Zubeldia, Odegaard; Portu (Januzaj, min. 77), Oyarzabal, Isak (Willian Jose, min. 68).
1.- Mirandes: Limones; Kijera, Sergio Gonzalez, Odei, Gonzalez; Malsa, Guridi, Antonio Sanchez (Alvaro Pena, min. 76), Merquelanz, Alvaro Rey (Inigo Vicente, min. 86); Matheus (Marcos Andre, min. 70).
Goals: 1-0, min. 9: Oyarzabal (p); 1-1, min. 40: Matheus; 2-1, min. 43: Odegaard.
Referee: Gil Manzano (Extremadura).
Yellow cards: Monreal (Min. 17) for Real Sociedad, Kijera (Min. 45+2') for Mirandes, Oyarzabal (Min. 48) for Real Sociedad, Zaldua (Min. 82) for Real Sociedad.
Red cards: None.
Stadium: Anoeta.
Attendance: 39,000.
