Another victory of Real Sociedad in the Spanish League, La Liga, the second in a row, and you can say that this one was due to Willian José. Going back to the way he was step by step, the Brazilian striker scored twice in the 3-2 win against Espanyol at home – Mikel Merino scored Real Sociedad’s other goal, while Naldo and Llorente (an against goal) scored for the visitors.
With the result, the team got to 25 points and gave a significant step in the league table: they went from the 13th place to the 8th. At the moment, they are three points behind Getafe, who is the first club in the zone to qualify for the Europa League next season. Espanyol, meanwhile, is with 24 points and in the 10th position.
Surprisingly, Real Sociedad opened the scorer with only three minutes in the match, with Mikel Merino. They would soon double their lead, as they were awarded a penalty at the 8th minute, in which Willian Jose stepped up, and made it 2-0 Real Sociedad. But Espanyol reacted. Naldo, in a beautiful header at the 32nd, and unlucky Llorente, in a move in which the ball hit his body and went against his own goal in the extra time of the first half, tied the match.
The goal that guaranteed the victory of Real Sociedad happened at the 63rd minute. Merino crossed from the right and Willian José, with a kind of karate shot, looped the ball over the goalkeeper Diego Lopez as the ball smashed the back of the nets. 3-2.
It surely was an emotional win for Real Sociedad over Espanyol, and also, very important to their run at the La Liga. At the moment, Willian Jose & Company can, and should, dare to look for a Europa League for the next season. Keep going like this, Willian Jose, and maybe Tite can look at you for an option at the Brazilian National Team! Both teams are back in action in the Spanish League next week. On Sunday Real Sociedad visits Rayo Vallecano away from home. On Monday it is Espanyol’s turn to face Eibar in Ipurúa.