Real Sociedad secured their first win of the La Liga season this weekend, beating Espanyol 2-1 at the Reale Arena. The victory, however, was marred by a shoulder injury to starting goalkeeper Álex Remiro in the dying minutes, which triggered chaos due to the enforcement of a new refereeing rule.
The match on the third matchday allowed Pellegrino Matarazzo's team to leave behind two initial defeats. Ander Barrenetxea and Orri Óskarsson were the scorers for the Basque side, both assisted by Mikel Oyarzabal. With these three points, Real Sociedad now sits in 14th place in the standings, with 3 points, 3 goals scored and 6 conceded after a record of one win and two losses.
What happened with Remiro's injury?
The tension arrived in the final stretch of the match when Álex Remiro needed medical attention in his area after a collision. Under a rule instituted during the last World Cup, referee Orellana Cid decreed that a Real Sociedad player had to leave the field for one minute. With the goalkeeper being the injured party, the rule forces the manager to choose the outfield player to leave. Pellegrino Matarazzo did not designate anyone, so, following the protocol, captain Igor Zubeldia had to leave, and he also received a yellow card.
The situation generated huge confusion and anger among the fans and players. Assistant coach Omer Toprak was sent off with a direct red card from the bench, and Matarazzo himself was also dismissed. This chaotic episode overshadowed the achievement of the first three points at home.
How did the match unfold?
Real Sociedad showed improvement compared to their first two outings. They controlled the game and looked more solid defensively, though Remiro's absence adds to those of Pablo Marín and Álvaro Odriozola, who are already on the club's injury list. A key moment before the goalkeeper's injury was orchestrated by Jon Mikel Aramburu. The Venezuelan international, alongside Remiro, managed to clear a ball on the goal line to prevent a corner, forcing a throw-in after a challenge from Pere Milla.
The win brings the team closer to the mid-table positions in the standings, though they still sit six points behind leaders Real Madrid. The next challenge is the match against bottom-placed Celta Vigo on September 3rd at the Reale Arena, a fixture you can check on our fixtures page.
What does the new rule mean for goalkeepers?
The strict application of this rule, which many fans are still unfamiliar with, adds a layer of tactical complexity in the closing moments of matches. It forces managers to have a clear contingency plan when their goalkeeper receives treatment, lest they lose an outfield player at random. In this case, the exit of captain Zubeldia, a defensive pillar, at a moment of pressure, could have had greater consequences.
Real Sociedad's coaching staff will need to review this incident for the future. Remiro's injury, whose severity will be assessed in the coming days, is another setback for a defense that has conceded six goals in three matchdays. The need for solidity is clear before the match against Celta, where the team will look to confirm their improvement and climb the table.
