Real Sociedad v Atlético Madrid Live Commentary & Result, 2022/01/19, Copa del Rey

We hope you enjoyed our live coverage of what was an enthralling cup tie. Thank you for joining us and see you next time!

Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth was a worthy scorer of Sociedad's clinching goal, displaying terrific hold-up play throughout the game and continuing to threaten after his well-taken goal. He managed three shots throughout the contest, with his fellow goalscorer Adnan Januzaj going one better with four in a lively display. Thanks to their goals, Sociedad remain on course for a fourth Copa del Rey triumph in their history.

Real Sociedad are into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, with goals from Sorloth and Januzaj wrapping up the victory in front of a boistrous home crowd! Atletico never really got going, with Carrasco's first-half shot against the post being the best they managed throughout the contest. Simeone's men have still not reached the last eight of this competition since 2018, and managed just one shot on target in a poor display.

90' + 3' FULL TIME: REAL SOCIEDAD 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID.

Matheus Cunha

Yellow Card

90' + 2' Cunha is into the book for an innocuous foul, as Atletico stare at another early Copa del Rey elimination.

90' Just three minutes of added time is signalled by the officials and now the home crowd are absolutely bouncing! The noise when the final whistle goes will be heard all around San Sebastian!

88' Oyarzabal now wins a corner for the hosts, who opt to keep back some of their big men for this late set-piece.

87' Fantastic work from Portu upon his introduction, chasing back to win back possession for his team before winning a throw-in as Sociedad close in on a massive win.

Zubeldía

A. Januzaj

86' The match's other goalscorer Januzaj is also departing, with Zubeldia coming on in his place.

Portu

A. Sørloth

86' The outstanding Sorloth departs to a great reception, to be replaced by Portu.

85' Suarez shoots comfortably wide on the turn, but the former Barcelona man was given too much time to pick his spot and should have done better. Just five minutes plus added time stands between Sociedad and the quarter-finals now.

83' Atletico are managing to force their opponents deeper now, with Felix, Lemar, and Suarez looking to get on the ball in dangerous positions. Will it be too little, too late for Diego Simeone and his team?

81' Sociedad are finally forced to withstand some pressure, with Cunha crowded out as he tries to bring down Lemar's chipped ball in the penalty area. The hosts have defended resolutely so far however, and are 10 minutes away from a place in the Copa del Rey's final eight.

79' Big save! It's taken them nearly 80 minutes, but Simeone's team have finally mustered a shot on target, as Remiro makes a strong one-on-one save from Cunha after some good work from Suarez.

Martín Zubimendi

Guevara

78' The hosts have also made a change, with Zubimendi replacing Guevara as Sociedad look to hold on for the win.

Carlos Martín

Y. Carrasco

78' Carlos Martin is also on for Atletico, replacing the ineffective Carrasco.

Javier Serrano

R. De Paul

78' Serrano replaces De Paul in the visitors' fourth change.

76' Sorloth is remonstrating with the officials after De Paul appeared to bring him down with Sociedad launching a promising counter-attack. Sorloth has been excellent this evening, and may have been in on goal there if he had escaped the Argentinian's attentions.

74' Joao Felix shoots over the bar on the turn from a long way out, but Remiro had it covered. It's been a frustrating outing for the Portughese wonderkid, who has received little to no service from his teammates.

73' We're yet to see any real impact from Simeone's second-half substitutions, with Sociedad looking more likely to score a third in a match they have controlled throughout.

72' Lemar makes a poor challenge on Rafinha near the halfway line, and the Frenchman can perhaps count himself lucky not to go into the book, with the visitors looking increasingly frustrated.

70' Now Merino mis-controls Rafinha's cut-back in a superb position! Merino should certainly have gotten himself on the scoresheet in this half.

69' Atletico substitute Cunha wins a foul from Guevara on halfway, but Atletico immediately concede possession again from the dead ball. They've been so sloppy all night, and are yet to manage a shot on target as we enter the final 20 minutes.

67' Merino involved again for Sociedad, but this time his weak shot is straight at Atletico's stand-in captain Oblak.

66' Sociedad are well in control of this match since the second goal, with Atletico's triple substitution yet to make an impact on the flow of the game.

64' Great skill! Merino almost scores a wonderful goal with the outside of his left boot after cutting in from the wing. Unlucky!

Diego Rico

Aihen Muñoz

63' Meanwhile, Rico replaces Munoz, who had also been booked for Sociedad.

Rafinha

David Silva

63' Sociedad make their first change of the evening, as Rafinha replaces the yellow-carded Silva.

60' Carrasco wins a free kick in his own half under pressure from three Sociedad men. The hosts have pressed brilliantly so far in this match, winning the ball high up the pitch and pinning their visitors back.

David Silva

Yellow Card

59' Silva is the fourth man into the book, bringing down Carrasco on the touchline after Sociedad dealt with the corner comfortably.

58' Corner to Atletico as they look to get back on the front foot, after a terrible opening to the second half.

58' Real Sociedad are unbeaten in 2022, winning two and drawing one of the three games they've played since the turn of the year. The Basque club are in a great position to continue that run after Sorloth's goal, but can Atletico mount any sort of comeback?

56' Sortloth almost gets another! The striker peels away to the back post to receive the ball, before seeing his firm drive saved by Jan Oblak, and Merino blasts over from the rebound.

T. Lemar

Renan Lodi

55' Lemar replaces left-back Lodi in an extremely attacking switch from Simeone.

L. Suárez

Koke

55' Suarez replaces Koke as the visitors look to attack, can the Uruguayan make the difference?

Matheus Cunha

Á. Correa

55' Cunha replaces Correa in the first of those three changes.

53' Atletico have responded to the second goal by preparing some much-needed changes here, with Suarez, Lemar, and Cunha all ready to enter the fray.

53' Sorloth leads a promising break for Sociedad before teeing up Januzaj, who cuts inside and bends a decent left-footed shot wide of the far post, as the hosts continue to pour men forwards.

51' Strong claim from the home goalkeeper Remiro, who was alert to the danger posed by a long ball over the top of the home defence, and beat the onrushing Lodi to the ball.

50' Sociedad have flown out of the traps again here! Silva slightly overhits a delicate ball through a crowd of defenders. Had the former Manchester City man got that right, the hosts could have ended this contest already.

49' From an Atletico Madrid point of view, that was terrible play from Felipe in the build-up to the goal. He was caught in possession after a clumsy touch, and that could be the goal that kills Atletico's chances of a place in the last eight.

47' What a start to the second half for Sociedad! Sorloth scored against Atletico in the two sides' LaLiga clash back in October, and he's repeated the trick here to give the visitors a real mountain to climb.

A. Sørloth

Goal

47' GOOOOAAALL! THE HOSTS DOUBLE THEIR LEAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK! Sorloth works with Oyarzabal to rob Felipe, before the big man keeps his cool when one-on-one, side-footing past Oblak to make it 2-0! Sociedad have started quickly again, and been rewarded for their attacking endeavour.

46' This is the 20th Copa del Rey meeting between Sociedad and Atletico. Atletico have won seven of the previous 19 clashes, with the Basque club managing five wins and the remaining seven ending level. Can Sociedad hold on to improve upon that record?

46' No changes as Atletico get us underway for the second period. Can they find a way back in this cup tie?

1' Off the line! Oblak is saying he was fouled as the corner came in, but the whistle didn't go and Felipe was forced to head off the line after a Sociedad head met the delivery. Sociedad will be happy to see the ball kept in the Atletico half as they recycle possession in the aftermath.

As things stand, the 2020 Copa del Rey winners are on course to reach the last eight of the competition, while Simeone's team are heading for yet another early cup exit. Much improvement will be needed from Atletico if they are to get back into this contest, with the visitors failing to register a shot on target thus far.

Real Sociedad lead at the halfway point of an enthralling cup clash, thanks to Adnan Januzaj's superb header. Sociedad missed some good early opportunities, with Januzaj and Elustondo guilty, but the hosts deserve their lead. Atletico have been a threat on the break, however, with Carrasco hitting the post when the scores were still level.

45' + 1' HALF TIME: REAL SOCIEDAD 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID

45' Superb defending from Sociedad defender Elustondo, who raced back to make a vital challenge on Correa as the Atletico man was bearing down on goal. Elustondo wins a foul for his efforts too, as the half draws to a close.

43' Atletico Madrid are still yet to manage a shot on target in this first period, and have registered just two attempts in total as they deservedly trail.

42' Off the post again for Atleti!... But the flag is up. Felix twists and turns before rattling a long-range effort against the right-hand post, but the offside flag had already gone up.

41' Those cheers quickly turn to jeers as Koke races into the hosts' area, before theatrically throwing himself to the ground. There was no contact at all, and the Atleti man is perhaps fortunate not to have been booked.

40' Cheers from the crowd as Oblak slips when collecting the ball, after some strong Sociedad pressing had forced Atletico back into their own area. Five minutes to go until the break, and Sociedad are probably good value for their lead.

Felipe

Yellow Card

39' Felipe is the next man into the book for an awfully timed challenge on Oyarzabal, kicking through the Sociedad forward as he held the ball up.

37' Sociedad comfortably deal with two corners in quick succession as the visitors look to force the issue. Atletico's set-piece deliveries have been dreadful so far this evening, and Simeone won't be pleased.

36' Poor delivery from de Paul, but Atletico keep the pressure on and Munoz is forced to clear behind for a corner.

35' Vrsaljko is involved yet again, as Atletico look for an immediate response to going behind. The Croatian is brought down on the corner of the Sociedad area, and the visitors have a decent opportunity here.

34' Sociedad should have taken the lead earlier in this game, missing a plethora of chances, but finally have their reward after Januzaj heads home. The stadium is absolutely rocking here, as Sociedad's fans begin to dream of another deep cup run.

A. Januzaj

Goal

33' GOAL! SOCIEDAD LEAD! Januzaj heads home the opener, heading a right-wing cross onto the inside of the post and over the line! Sociedad are finally rewarded for their strong start to this cup tie, with Silva working the ball wide to Zaldua, whose superb delivery is headed home by the former Manchester United winger. Great goal!

Zaldúa

Assist

33' Zaldua registered the assist for that goal, with a beautifully weighted cross from the right, after some good work from Silva in the centre.

32' Munoz then does well defensively, robbing Carrasco after Felix looped an awkward ball forward for the visitors.

Hermoso

Yellow Card

31' Hermoso goes into the book for a dreadfully mistimed challenge on Munoz, who was racing down the Sociedad left.

29' Koke is told to get up by the officials after going down easily under pressure from Silva on the left wing. The crowd are beginning to get irritated with Atletico's antics now.

Aihen Muñoz

Yellow Card

28' Munoz is booked by the referee for that challenge on Vrsaljko, which seemed to be an honest attempt to reach a lofted ball.

28' Vrsaljko is down, head-in-hands, after a seemingly innocuous challenge on the right-wing. Atletico surrounding the referee, and have another free kick, which is promptly smashed into the wall.

26' Simeone's team looked to have calmed things down after that frantic start from Sociedad, slowing the tempo and allowing de Paul and Herrera to retain possession.

25' The ball is lifted towards the far post but is eventually scrambled clear by Sociedad, who win a free kick of their own in the aftermath.

24' Another Atletico free kick after Sorloth is adjudged to have fouled Hermoso. It’s a long way from the Sociedad goal, but very central.

23' Atletico line up a deep free kick from the right wing, after the referee intervened to warn a few players about pushing and shoving in a crowded box, but its hammered into the wall.

21' We're almost a quarter of the way through this contest and its certainly not been short of action, with Sociedad missing three decent openings and Atletico hitting the post against the run of play.

19' Felix and Correa look to link up in the hosts' box but are crowded out and Sociedad can clear.

18' Atletico are enjoying a bit more of the ball now, with Vrasljko pushing high on the right-hand side and De Paul dictating the tempo.

17' That was a delicious ball from the outside of De Paul's boot to release Carrasco for his chance, and showed how dangerous the Spanish champions can be on the break. Close call for the hosts.

15' POST! Out of nowhere Atletico create their first opportunity of the contest, with Yannick Carrasco twisting and turning after a neat counterattack, before clipping his shot against the inside of the post, with the hosts scrambling it clear in the aftermath.

14' Another chance for the hosts! Oyarzabal heads over at the back post after a lovely flick from Sorloth allowed Januzaj to cross from the left.

13' The corner is comfortably dealt with by Simeone's men, but the ball is immediately back with the hosts, who have dominated possession so far.

12' Corner for Sociedad as Vrsaljko makes a firm challenge on Oyarzabal near the byline. Atletico are really struggling to get out so far, with the hosts pressing high and keeping the ball well.

11' Sorloth is really putting himself about early on for Sociedad. It will be interesting to see how Atletico deal with the former Crystal Palace target man tonight, in the absence of the suspended Gimenez.

9' Atletico Madrid are looking to advance to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals for the first time in four seasons, with their last appearance in that round coming in the 2017/18 season. The visitors have made a slow start, and will have to improve if they're to end that hoodoo.

8' Remiro now involved for the first time, comfortably claiming Vrsaljko's low cross into the box. That's the first we've seen of the visitors as an attacking force.

7' CLOSE FOR SOCIEDAD! Januzaj gets two bites at the cherry, volleying wide on his favoured left foot after seeing his initial shot blocked. Atletico are living very dangerously here.

5' Chance! Atletico easily clear the set-peice, but Sociedad keep the pressure on and Elustondo heads wide at the back post. He was completely unmarked and should've done better.

4' Sorloth wins the first free-kick of the game, beating Felipe to the ball in the left-hand channel before being scythed down by the Brazilian. Set-piece in a decent position for the hosts.

2' Sociedad on the front foot again, with Januzaj dancing into the area before over-hitting his final ball, but it's a promising start for the hosts.

1' Sociedad start at a high tempo, with Munoz and Sorloth looking to work an opening on the left, before Atletico manage to clear.

1' We're underway as the hosts get the ball rolling.

The teams are coming out in the Basque Country! Kick-off is just moments away!

Neither of these two clubs made the last eight of the Copa del Rey last season. With Spanish champions Atletico finding themselves embroiled in a battle for UEFA Champions League qualification after a below-par start to this season, this competition perhaps represents their best chance of silverware this year. Will they progress at the Reale Arena?

For the visitors, Luiz Suarez, who has 13 goal involvements in 13 La Liga games against Sociedad, only makes the bench. Antoine Griezmann remains sidelined through injury, and defender Jose Gimenez is suspended, after he picked up a red card in last week's Super Cup loss to Athletic Bilbao.

Strong sides picked by both managers tonight, with Sociedad's frontline featuring their top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander Sorloth, who netted against tonight's opponents in league action earlier this season.

SUBS: Benjamin Lecomte, Luiz Suarez, Thomas Lemar, Matheus Cunha, Javier Serrano, Alberto Moreno, Carlos Martin, Manuel Lama, Sergio.

ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Sime Vrsaljko, Felipe, Mario Hermoso, Renan Lodi; Yannick Carrasco, Rodrigo de Paul, Hector Herrera, Koke; Angel Correa, Joao Felix.

SUBS: MartIn Zubimendi, Igor Zubeldia, Portu, Jon Guridi, Diego Rico, Rafinha, Andoni Gorosabel, Jon Pacheco Dozagarat, Gaizka Ayesa, Julen Lobete, Nais Djouahra.

REAL SOCIEDAD (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Joseba Zaldua, Aritz Elustondo, Robin Le Normand, Aihen Munoz; Mikel Merino, Ander Guevara, David Silva; Adnan Januzaj, Alexander Sorloth, Mikel Oyarzabal.

Atletico Madrid have only won the Copa del Rey once during Diego Simeone's 10-year reign at the club, in 2013, while Sociedad last lifted Spain's domestic cup in 2020. With the two teams having identical records in LaLiga this season, we're expecting entertainment as these two do battle for a place in the quarter-finals.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Copa del Rey clash between Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid in San Sebastian!

Real Sociedad v Atlético Madrid Live Commentary, 2022/01/19

Key Events

Match Stats

Commentary