Week 21's final La Liga clash pitted Real Sociedad against Elche at the San Sebastian.
Sociedad led 2-0 at the interval following an early double from Frenchman Antoine Griezmann.
It was 3-0 in the early stages of the second period when Carlos Vela thumped one into the top corner, before Griezmann completed his hat-trick late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 21 in La Liga draws to a close from San Sebastian as Real Sociedad welcome Elche. The home side currently sit in sixth position in the table, nine points from the top four with 18 matches remaining. Elche, meanwhile, sit in 17th spot, while they are just two points from the relegation zone as the battle as both ends of the table gathers pace.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Elche have won two of the last five matches, with Sociedad also winning once and the further two games ending in draws. As mentioned, the last time the two sides met in this stadium was in a Segunda Division clash in January 2010, when Elche picked up all three points with a 1-0 win.
TEAMS:
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; C. Martinez, Ansotegi, I. Martinez, Angel; Markel, Pardo, Prieto; Vela, Agirretxe, Griezmann
ELCHE: Tono; Damian, Botia, Lomban, Albacar; Perez, Sanchez; Gil, Coro, Aaron; Manu
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Sociedad XI this evening with Agirretxe, Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezmann filling the attacking positions. Meanwhile, Bergara is preferred to Javi Ros in midfield. Elche leave Richmond Boakye and Fidel on their bench, but Carles Gil, Aaron Niguez and Manu del Moral all start in what is an attacking lineup.
Sociedad enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Getafe in the league last weekend, with that result seeing them drop more ground on Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, who are their main challengers for the top four. They enjoyed success in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday, however, with a 3-1 win over Segunda B side Racing Santander.
Sociedad have taken 33 points from their 20 matches this season. They struggled in the early part of the campaign, but their fortunes have changed in recent months. That said, they were recently beaten 5-1 at Villarreal. It has been a case of home comforts, however, with six of their nine wins coming on their own patch, where they have lost just once in the league.
Goals have also not been too much of a problem for Sociedad this season with 38 strikes in their 20 matches. Antoine Griezmann is currently their leading scorer in La Liga with 12. Elche, however, have found goals harder to find with just 19 strikes thus far. Down the other end, Elche have fared slightly better with 28 goals conceded to Sociedad’s 30.
It has been a patchy season for Elche thus far with 21 points from their 20 matches leaving them in 17th position in the table, just two points outside of the relegation zone. They have won five times in the league, losing nine times in the process. However, three points at San Sebastian this evening could move them as high as 11th.
Three of Elche’s five league wins this season have come on their own patch, but they have found the back of the net just nine times in their 11 league games at home. On the road, meanwhile, they have won twice, drawn three and lost four – far from a disastrous record for a newly-promoted side. Right, it is just about time for my prediction for this evening.
PREDICTION: Sociedad have just fallen off the pace for the top four in recent weeks, but Elche enter the match desperately close to the relegation zone. Both managers have selected attacking sides this evening and I am expecting an open match. That said, I think Sociedad will have too much on their own patch. My score prediction is 2-0 Sociedad.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining contest on this mild evening in Spain. The away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. The rain has been falling all day, which has not helped the pitch. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive this evening.
Half-chance for Elche as Manu del Moral meets a cross from Albacar, but his effort just drops wide of the post. It has been a positive start from the visitors with the likes of Ruben Perez and Carlos Sanchez seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-0 Elche (Griezmann)
Sociedad take the lead inside two minutes as Griezmann collects a wonderful ball from Vela before lifting his effort over the onrushing Tono. Suarez did his best to keep it out, but failed to do so. What a start.
It is the worst possible start for Elche, who had played with confidence in the opening couple of moments. It is important that the away side stay in the match for the next 10 minutes or so. Another goal for Sociedad at this stage of proceedings could end the contest.
Ruben Perez takes matters into his own hands as the Elche midfielder strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Sociedad are down the other end with Vela moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Tono.
Elche's positive start continues as Gil turns on the edge of the box before attempting to test Bravo, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Chilean. Sociedad might lead, but the away side are dominating proceedings with 10 minutes on the clock. You just get the feeling that they need to score the next goal.
Half-chance for the home side as Griezmann turns provider for Vela with a deep cross into the Elche box, but the latter cannot connect at the vital moment. Elche are down the other end with Aaron moments later, but Carlos Sanchez has his pocket picked on the edge of the area by Ruben Pardo.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-0 Elche (Griezmann)
Sociedad have their second and Griezmann has his second as the Frenchman arrows a header into the top corner following a wonderful cross from Prieto. Brilliant from the youngster.
Well, Elche have arguably been the better side thus far, but they find themselves 2-0 down. Another half-chance arrives for the away side as Botia delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Aaron cannot beat Bravo to the ball. End-to-end football with 16 minutes on the clock at the San Sebastian. What a match.
Griezmann has now scored 14 league goals in 20 games for Sociedad this season. What a record for the Frenchman. Can Sociedad keep him? That will be the worry over the next week of the transfer window. The home side have taken control of the possession in the last few moments with Elche struggling to keep hold of the ball.
Sociedad continue to force the issue as Pardo finds Carlos Martinez, who drives a low cross into the box, but Tono is on hand to collect. Vela turns provider for Angel moments later, but once more the Elche stopper is out to collect.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Elche are enjoying more of the ball. In truth, the away side have played some nice stuff this evening, but have been undone by two moments of brilliance from Griezmann. Neither of his goals were straight-forward opportunities, but the Frenchman took both.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a couple of late challenges. Botia gains a yellow card for bringing down Prieto in the latest challenge, but the resulting free kick from Griezmann comes to nothing.
Half-chance for Griezmann to score his third as Angel drives down the left before finding the Frenchman inside the box, but the attacker cannot make proper contact at the near post. Elche break down the other end with Lomban, but his cross is cleared by Carlos Martinez.
Opportunity for Elche to threaten from a free kick as Griezmann fells Suarez down the right. The latter delivers into the Sociedad area, but Angel clears. Agirretxe has possession inside the Elche box moments later, but his effort is deflected wide of the post.
CHANCE! Another chance for Agirretxe as the Sociedad forward meets a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is cleared off the line by Botia. The end-to-end period continues as Aaron strikes one from outside the box, but Bravo makes the save.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with neither side creating too much of note in the final third. Meanwhile, the referee continues to become involved due to a number of late challenges. Agirretxe does have the ball in the back of the net for Sociedad, but the offside flag had been raised. It was a close one.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments as Aaron twice delivers dangerous crosses into the Sociedad box, but Carlos Martinez and Bergara take it in turn to clear the danger. Gil collects on the edge of the box from the latter corner, but his effort whistles wide of the post.
Possession football from Sociedad in the last few minutes as they continue to keep the ball in the Elche half. A loose pass from Pardo hands Elche the chance to break with Aaron, but once more his cross is cleared. It just hasn't happened for Elche in the final third thus far.
Nervy moment for Bravo as the Sociedad goalkeeper takes two attempts to collect a corner from Sanchez, but the Chilean does manage to release Vela on the counter. The Mexican drives past two challenges before finding Agirretxe, but the Spaniard is denied on the edge of the box. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
The pace continues at the San Sebastian with the dampness on the pitch contributing to an end-to-end encounter. Sociedad have the chance to deliver a free kick into the Elche box through Pardo. The set piece is met by Vela, but Tono just does enough to palm clear at the vital moment. Another goal for Sociedad and surely this one would be over.
HALF TIME: Sociedad 2-0 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Sociedad leading 2-0. Both goals came from Griezmann in the opening 12 minutes, with the Frenchman now on 14 league goals for the season. That said, Elche have had their moments in an end-to-end match at San Sebastian.
STATISTICS: Elche have shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had eight attempts to Sociedad's five. However, the only statistic that matters sees Sociedad lead by two goals. There has also been just the one yellow card issued by the referee, with Elche defender Botia on the receiving end.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Haris Seferovic, Zurutuza and Gonzalo Castro. Meanwhile, Elche have the likes of Richmond Boakye, Fidel and Mantecon in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Griezmann complete his hat-trick? Or will Elche respond? Be sure to remain with us for the action as Sociedad get the second 45 minutes underway at San Sebastian.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect both managers will look to alter proceedings if the score remains 2-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. It would probably be fair to say that Elche need to score the next goal to have a chance of taking something from the match.
CHANCE! Aaron continues to look the most likely for the away side as he drives past two defenders before advancing into the box, but Carlos Martinez is across to clear. The resulting corner is delivered by Lomban, but Botia can only turn wide from close range.
Sociedad are forced into a change in the early stages of the second period with Jon Gaztanaga replacing Bergara. I would be surprised if that was a tactical decision rather than due to an injury. The interval has done nothing to slow the intensity of the match with the play flowing from end-to-end with 50 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Sociedad 3-0 Elche (Vela)
Oh my word that is some strike. Just brilliant from Vela as the Mexican drives to the edge of the box before thumping one into the top corner. That is game, set and match.
In truth, Elche have played quite well this evening. That is a strange thing to say at 3-0 behind, but they have more than matched Sociedad in terms of normal play. However, Sociedad have been much more clinical in the final third. The home side are now comfortable as they keep possession in their own half.
Sociedad are playing some really nice stuff at the moment with both full-backs prepared to move into advanced positions. Griezmann is the target from a through pass from Vela moments later, but the Frenchman cannot collect under pressure from Botia. Little under 35 minutes of the second period remaining this evening.
Elche have not been too discouraged by falling 3-0 behind as they continue to commit numbers in the Sociedad half. Aaron has another half-chance from inside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Suarez to open Elche's tally for the evening as Aaron finds the head of Suarez at the far post, but his effort is just wide of the post. Sociedad make their second change of the match moments later as Zurutuza enters the field in place of Vela.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Sociedad in control of the possession in the final third. It would not be a surprise to see Elche look to their bench in the next few moments. Boakye would be the obvious introduction in the final third.
In fairness to Elche they have not sat back since conceding as they burst into the Sociedad half once more through Aaron, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box. Not much of an atmosphere it must be said with little more than 25 minutes of football remaining.
Elche do indeed make a change as Boakye is replaced by Manu, who has once more struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Lomban has an effort from outside the box moments later, but Bravo gets down well to make the save.
Elche continue to threaten with their pace and movement in the final third, but the final pass has eluded them this evening. Sociedad, meanwhile, have dropped their intensity since scoring a third and have not created a meaningful chance for some time. Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining at San Sebastian.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Griezmann finds some space down the left before drilling a low cross towards Agirretxe, but Suarez is across to clear. Pardo delivers a dangerous corner into the Elche box moments later, but Botia hooks clear at the vital moment.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges fly in from both sides. Ruben Perez collects just the second yellow card of the match for a late one on Zurutuza, but the resulting free kick from Pardo is cleared by Suarez at the far post.
GOAL! Sociedad 4-0 Elche (Griezmann)
Sociedad have their fourth and Griezmann has his third as the Frenchman finds the back of the net with a powerful strike after Tono had failed to collect a cross from Agirretxe.
Elche look to their bench as Rivera replaces Perez and Fidel is on for Coro. It will be a damage limitation exercise for Elche in the latter stages. The last thing they need is to be beaten by five or six in the final stages. That is a possibility with Sociedad on the attack and more than 10 minutes remaining.
Sociedad make their third and final change as Pardo is replaced by Javier Ros. This result will not move Sociedad into fifth position, but it will keep them in touching distance in the battle for fourth. Elche, however, will remain just outside of the relegation zone after 21 games.
It's bright work from Boakye as the Elche forward drives down the right before delivering a low cross towards Fidel, but the attacker cannot convert under pressure from Carlos Martinez. Not too much to report from Sociedad since Griezmann completed his hat-trick.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Elche to cut the deficit to 4-1 as Albacar finds Boakye inside the Sociedad box, but his header is pushed past the post by Bravo. Brilliant goalkeeping from the Chilean stopper.
Elche continue to threaten in the latter stages with two corners in quick succession, but Carlos Martinez and Inigo Martinez take it in turns to clear the danger. Elche's work-rate and desire cannot be called into question, but they have lacked the desired quality in the final third.
CROSSBAR! Wonderful chance for Elche as Suarez stands over a free kick outside the box, but his curling effort smashes off the top of the crossbar. It has been one-way traffic in the last few moments with Elche desperate to give their supporters something to cheer.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Suarez has another free kick for Elche, but this time he delivers towards Boakye and Bravo is on hand to collect.
FULL TIME: Sociedad 4-0 Elche
So there we have it. Griezmann scores three times as Sociedad beat Elche 4-0. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
