Barrenetxea's 91st-Minute Strike Seals 3-2 Real Sociedad Win Over Valencia

The match was deadlocked at 2-2 in the 91st minute at Mestalla on September 20, 2026, when Carlos Soler stood over a late corner kick. The former Valencia captain delivered a precise ball into the penalty area, finding substitute Ander Barrenetxea, who drove a sweet strike into the top corner to seal a 3-2 victory for Real Sociedad.[1][2]

The stoppage-time winner capped a breathless La Liga Matchday 7 encounter that saw the visitors surrender the lead twice before snatching all three points. For Real Sociedad, the result catapults them to eighth in the table with 10 points, providing what the club described as "some calm before a lengthy league break." For Valencia, the late heartbreak leaves them stranded in 19th place with just four points, spoiling a resilient performance under interim manager Óscar Sánchez.[1]

Real Sociedad manager Pellegrino Matarazzo set his side up to dictate the tempo from the opening whistle, and the visitors dominated the early exchanges. They out-shot Valencia 13-5 in the first half, generating an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.13 to the hosts' 0.24. That pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Job Ochieng laid the ball off for Luka Sučić, who curled a perfectly weighted left-footed strike into the top corner past Stole Dimitrievski.[2]

Despite the early deficit, Valencia grew into the game in front of 45,122 supporters. Arnaut Danjuma provided a constant threat down the wing, nearly setting up Hugo Duro before Jon Martín's crucial defensive intervention. The hosts finally found their breakthrough in the 57th minute when academy product Aaron Mayol connected with a perfect half-volley that crashed past Álex Remiro to level the score at 1-1.

The narrative shifted back to the visitors in the 75th minute, centered around a familiar face. Javi Guerra brought down Yangel Herrera inside the penalty area, prompting referee Jose Munuera to point to the spot. Soler stepped up and converted the penalty against his boyhood club to restore Real Sociedad's advantage. Soler finished the match with an 8.2 rating, completing 35 of his 39 passes and contributing six ball recoveries in a standout midfield performance.[1][2]

Valencia refused to fold, pushing aggressively for a second equalizer. Their persistence was rewarded in the 84th minute when an attempt to clear a dangerous cross from substitute David Otorbi resulted in Real Sociedad defender Luken Beitia turning the ball into his own net. At 2-2, the momentum seemed to favor the hosts, with Aimar Blázquez nearly heading in a third goal moments later.[1]

Instead, it was Barrenetxea who delivered the decisive blow in the 91st minute. The drama did not end with the goal, as Real Sociedad forward Orri Óskarsson received a second yellow card for dissent in the 96th minute, reducing the visitors to ten men for the final seconds. The numerical disadvantage came too late to alter the outcome, as Munuera blew the final whistle shortly after.[1][2]

The underlying numbers reflect a tightly contested second half. Valencia finished the match with 54 percent possession and completed 358 accurate passes compared to Real Sociedad's 303. The hosts also won 57 percent of their ground duels and completed 20 of 28 dribbles. However, Real Sociedad's defensive resilience in aerial battles and their clinical finishing in crucial moments proved to be the difference.[2]

Despite the defeat, the mood in the Valencia camp carried notes of defiance. "The face the team has shown has been very positive," Mayol told reporters after the match, emphasizing the squad's improved attitude following a difficult start to the 2026 campaign. The club is reportedly finalizing the appointment of Javier Aguirre as their permanent manager, and the Mexican tactician will inherit a squad that demonstrated significant fight against top-half opposition.[1]

Real Sociedad's victory provides a critical buffer after their recent Europa League defeat to Bournemouth. The three points validate Matarazzo's tactical adjustments, particularly his use of substitutes; both Herrera and Barrenetxea directly contributed to the winning sequence after coming off the bench in the 69th and 61st minutes, respectively. The Basque club now heads into the international window with renewed momentum, while Valencia faces a critical stretch to escape the relegation zone.[1]