Real Sociedad Beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 as Oskarsson Scores Winner

Real Sociedad beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at the Reale Arena on Sunday, with Orri Oskarsson scoring the only goal in the 67th minute. The first half ended goalless in San Sebastian, and Sociedad held firm after the break to protect the lead and take all three points in La Liga.

A tight first half

Neither side found a way through in the first 45 minutes. Rayo winger Giorgi Tsitaishvili was booked in the 34th minute, and the half ended without a goal as both defenses stayed organized. Sociedad had more of the ball across the match, finishing with 51 percent possession, and attempted 17 shots to Rayo's 11, according to the match data carried by Elbotola.

Sociedad defender Igor Zubeldia was booked in the 50th minute in a match refereed by Juan Martinez Munuera, as the home side kept pushing for an opening goal after the restart.

Oskarsson breaks through

The goal came in the 67th minute. Ander Barrenetxea created the chance and Oskarsson finished it, beating the Rayo defense to score the game's only goal. Oskarsson also scored in Sociedad's 2-1 win over Levante earlier this season, and his finish settled a match the home side had controlled for long spells without breaking through.

Takefusa Kubo and Benat Turrientes were among the starters who made way as Sociedad refreshed the side, and Goncalo Guedes and Sergio Gomez came off the bench in the second half, according to the player statistics published by Sportradar.

Remiro keeps the clean sheet

Rayo pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages but could not beat goalkeeper Alex Remiro, and their 11 attempts produced no goal. Sociedad's back line, which had stayed compact throughout, saw out the final minutes to complete the clean sheet.

The win gives Sociedad three points from a game they were expected to control, while Rayo return to Vallecas empty handed after a disciplined away performance that produced chances but no finish.