Oyarzabal, Zirkee Score As Honour Are Even Between Sociedad, Man Utd

March 06, – Real Sociedad and Manchester United played to a 1-1 draw in their Europa League last-16 first leg encounter, setting up an intriguing return fixture at Old Trafford. Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring for United before Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot following a Bruno Fernandes handball.

The visitors dominated the first-half proceedings with several clear opportunities. Fernandes saw his effort blocked on the line after being found by Diogo Dalot, while Zirkzee was denied by goalkeeper Alex Remiro before flicking the rebound wide. Ruben Amorim’s charges maintained their momentum after the interval with Alejandro Garnacho firing into the side-netting before Zirkzee finally broke the deadlock, curling in a first-time finish from Garnacho’s cross after intelligent movement from Rasmus Hojlund created the space.

he hosts found a way back into the match when VAR intervened to award a penalty after the ball struck Fernandes’ raised arm during an attempted clearance. Oyarzabal converted coolly from 12 yards, using a stutter-step approach to send Andre Onana the wrong way before placing his shot into the left corner.

Real Sociedad pushed for a winner in the closing stages with Onana making important saves to deny Brais Mendez and Orri Oskarsson, who had earlier missed a golden opportunity from close range. The result maintains United’s unbeaten record in the Europa League under Amorim, though the visitors may feel aggrieved by the penalty decision. The return leg at Old Trafford will determine which side advances to the quarter-finals of the competition.

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