Sheriff’s Brazilian forward Pernambuco and Real Sociedad’s Spanish midfielder David Silva vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League group E football match between Sheriff and Real Sociedad at Zimbru stadium in Chisinau on October 6, 2022. (Photo by BOGDAN TUDOR / AFP) (Photo by BOGDAN TUDOR/AFP via Getty Images)
The Txuri-Urdines knew that this match in Moldova was key to continue at the top of group E of the Europa League. Manchester City’s victory in Cyprus put pressure on those from San Sebastian who, against the Wasps, showed their weapons and won 2-0.
Before the initial quarter of an hour there was a clear play by side. Real Sociedad arrived with a good catch and a subsequent left-footed shot from Alexander Sørloth that was blocked by Maksym Koval. In the opposite area, Cédric Badolo took a right hand that went just above Alejandro Remiro’s goal.
When the Spanish found the spaces, they took over the game in Moldova. In the 17th minute, David Silva took a totally marvelous free kick that chipped Koval’s left post. When they went 33, Takefusa Kubo sent a center, Badolo did not cut, and Brais Méndez finished between surprised, bitten, and deflected.
The potential of the Txuri-Urdines was transformed into goals at the start of the supplementary. A large triangulation of the blue and white team landed on Sørloth’s boots which he unloaded backwards. At the gate of the large area, David Silva took a left-footed shot that he hit the crossbar and kissed the nets to make it 1-0.
If the Wasps were missing something, it was a string of misfortunes that marked the end of their illusions. Those from San Sebastián stretched the lead in the 16th minute when Brais Méndez executed a free kick with a lot of thread and Aritz Elustondo combed to the bottom of the cave. After a while, the locals were left with ten players due to the double warning suffered by Moussa Kyabou.
Sheriff, with two defeats at home, let the illusion train pass to continue in the Europa League for the time being, although he would continue in Conference League positions. The one who won, added the third victory in a row, and did it with a fair 2-0 was this Real Sociedad that maintains its advantage with the very tough Manchester United whom they beat on the opening day of this contest.
Foto: Photo by BOGDAN TUDOR/AFP via Getty Images
