Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings

How Real Sociedad won it

Ander Barrenetxea put Real Sociedad ahead in the 4th minute, set up by Mikel Oyarzabal . Espanyol levelled at 1-1 in the 45th minute through Roberto Fernández, set up by Javi Hernández. Orri Óskarsson made it 2-1 to Real Sociedad in the 61st minute, set up by Mikel Oyarzabal .

It was 1-1 at half-time, and the second half changed the result.

Pellegrino Matarazzo of Real Sociedad was sent off in the 90th minute (+4). The referee, M. Orellana Cid, showed 6 yellow cards: 2 to Real Sociedad and 4 to Espanyol.

Real Sociedad: P. Matarazzo, 4-4-2 · Espanyol: J. González Álvarez, 4-2-3-1.

Moneyball's prediction against the result

Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.

Why it went this way

On the day the expected goals were 0.96 for Real Sociedad and 2.14 for Espanyol.

Real Sociedad scored about 1.0 more than their chances were worth: clinical finishing, or a goalkeeper having a bad day.

Espanyol left about 1.1 goals' worth of chances on the pitch.

Espanyol created the better chances, 2.14 xG to 0.96, and still lost. On chances alone, the result could easily have gone the other way.

Real Sociedad had 10 shots on target, Espanyol 3.

Espanyol's goalkeeper made 7 saves.

Real Sociedad had 51% of the ball and turned it into the win.

A red card changed the shape of the match, and no pre-match model can see one coming.

Where the two sides stood before this match

Real Sociedad came into it with 7 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.3 and conceding 1.9 a match, with 1.19 expected goals for and 1.72 against, and had won 43% of their matches.

Espanyol came into it with 8 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.4 and conceding 1.4 a match, with 1.41 expected goals for and 1.17 against, and had won 25% of their matches.

Real Sociedad vs Espanyol: the match in numbers

Team statistics from Sportmonks.

Player ratings and man of the match

Man of the match: Marko Dmitrovic (Espanyol), rated 7.7 by Sportmonks.

Real Sociedad

• Carlos Soler 7.2
• Jon Aramburu 7.1
• Orri Óskarsson 7.0 1 goal
• Mikel Oyarzabal 7.0
• Luka Sucic 6.9

Espanyol

• Marko Dmitrovic 7.7
• Roberto Fernández 7.5 1 goal
• Roger Hinojo 7.2
• Omar El Hilali 7.2
• Unai Núñez 7.0

The lowest-rated starter was Álex Calatrava at 6.2. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.

What comes next

• Real Sociedad: Real Sociedad vs Deportivo A Coruña Sunday 11 October 2026 · La Liga
• Espanyol: Espanyol vs Atlético de Madrid Saturday 17 October 2026 · La Liga

Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.

Questions about Real Sociedad vs Espanyol

What was the score in Real Sociedad vs Espanyol?

Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol (half-time 1-1), La Liga, Saturday 29 August 2026.

Who scored in Real Sociedad vs Espanyol?

Ander Barrenetxea 4', Roberto Fernández 45', Orri Óskarsson 61'.

Did Moneyball predict Real Sociedad vs Espanyol correctly?

Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.

Who was man of the match in Real Sociedad vs Espanyol?

Marko Dmitrovic, rated 7.7 by Sportmonks.

Who refereed Real Sociedad vs Espanyol?

M. Orellana Cid.