Sociedad's Struggles Continue with 2-0 Defeat to Betis

Real Sociedad extended their winless run in La Liga after falling 2-0 to a confident Real Betis side at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. The pressure continues to mount on head coach Sergio Francisco, whose team has collected just two points from their opening five matches of the 2025/26 campaign.

Betis looked composed and clinical from the first whistle. Under the guidance of veteran manager Manuel Pellegrini, the Andalusians dominated possession and capitalised on key moments — scoring once in each half to secure a deserved three points.

Once again, Sociedad struggled to assert themselves in any phase of the game. Despite the return of several first-team regulars, the Basque outfit offered little going forward and were outclassed in midfield. Defensive frailties also remained evident, as Betis picked apart the backline with relative ease.

The match wasn’t without controversy. Referee Mateu Busquets came under scrutiny for his decision not to book Nathan for halting a promising counter-attack. Instead, a caution was issued to Sofyan Amrabat. Later in the match, calls for a red card against a Betis defender following a rough challenge on Takefusa Kubo were waved away — further fuelling frustration in the Sociedad camp.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real Betis - Real Sociedad 3:1 (1:1)
Goals: Cucho, 7 (1:0); Méndez B., 13 (1:1); Remiro, 49 (own goal) (2:1); Fornals, 69 (3:1)

Real Betis: Pau Lopez; Bellerin; Diego Llorente (Bartra, 46); Natan; Júnior Firpo (Gomez Val., 70); Fornals (Roca, 70); Ezzalzouli; Amrabat S.; Lo Celso (Riquelme R., 86); Antony M. (Garcia P., 71); Cucho
Substitution: Bartra (from 46); Gomez Val. (from 70); Roca (from 70); Garcia P. (from 71); Riquelme R. (from 86)
Bench: Valles; Adrian; Altimira; Ortiz A.; Chimy Ávila; Bakambu
Yellow Cards: Amrabat S. 34; Natan 39; Júnior Firpo 66

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu (Elustondo, 75); Caleta-Car; Gorrotxategi (Guedes G., 58); Zubeldia I.; Oyarzabal; Kubo T. (Sucic L., 66); Sergio Gomez; Méndez B.; Marin P. (Zakharyan, 66); Barrenetxea (Soler, 58)
Substitution: Soler (from 58); Guedes G. (from 58); Zakharyan (from 66); Sucic L. (from 66); Elustondo (from 75)
Bench: Marrero; Muñoz A.; Odriozola; Martín Jon; Turrientes; Goti; Karrikaburu
Yellow Cards: Méndez B. 7; Marin P. 18; Aramburu 26; Gorrotxategi 34; Zubeldia I. 54; Soler 86