Real Sociedad 1–0 Rayo Vallecano: Óskarsson's breakaway goal secures Anoeta win

Real Sociedad claimed a narrow but valuable 1–0 victory against Rayo Vallecano at Anoeta, where a single quick attack in the second half separated two closely matched teams. Orri Óskarsson delivered the goal in the 67th minute, finishing with his right foot after Ander Barrenetxea played a through ball into space. The move came from a fast break rather than a prolonged spell of possession, giving the home crowd the decisive moment after more than an hour of resistance from the visitors.

An even contest before the decisive run

The first half offered chances and promising passages without a goal. Sociedad attempted to build through midfield and find Óskarsson, but Rayo maintained enough compactness to prevent an early breakthrough. At the other end, the visitors did not simply sit back: their willingness to press and attack meant the hosts had to make careful decisions when advancing their full-backs. The goalless interval reflected a match in which neither team had consistently imposed itself on the final third.

Changes precede a decisive counterattack

Sociedad refreshed the side after the hour, with Gonçalo Guedes and Héctor Fort introduced in the 62nd minute. Rayo had an effort blocked and then won a corner shortly before the goal. From the subsequent passage, Sociedad found the opportunity to attack quickly, Barrenetxea releasing Óskarsson into the area. The forward's finish forced Rayo to chase a match that had remained level for so long. The visitors used multiple late substitutions, but could not find the final touch needed to equalise.

The numbers behind a one-goal margin

LaLiga recorded Sociedad with 50.8% possession against Rayo's 49.2%, a nearly even share of the ball. The home side nevertheless produced 17 shots to the visitors' 11 and won seven corners against six. Those numbers support a tight, competitive match rather than a one-sided performance. Óskarsson's goal was the key difference: Sociedad converted one transition into three points, while Rayo left Anoeta without a scoring response. The hosts' improving home form gained another result, with Barrenetxea's pass as important to the winning moment as the finish itself.