Real Sociedad turned a level first leg into a decisive 4-0 home victory over Hearts at Zubieta, sealing their place in the Women’s Europa Cup round of 16 and recording their first win of the season.
What the night decided
After the sides had drawn the opening leg, Gorka Álvarez’s team took control before half-time and never allowed Hearts a route back into the tie. Laura Camino, Paula Fernández and Ainoa Campo put Real Sociedad three goals ahead before the interval, leaving the Scottish side with too much to recover.
Camino opened the scoring before the midpoint of the first half, finishing an assist from Ainhoa for her first goal in the txuriurdin shirt.
The home side then struck twice in two minutes. Paula Fernández converted from the penalty spot, before Ainoa Campo finished after Cecilia had created the opportunity.
With the qualification effectively settled, Álvarez used the second half to alter his side. Cahynová, Isasisasmendi and Eizagirre came on after the break, while Maren and Keefe were introduced later. Keefe made her Real Sociedad debut.
Real Sociedad remained firmly in command with their captain on the pitch, and the fourth goal arrived with 20 minutes left when Wade put the ball into her own net. The 4-0 result completed a convincing turnaround from the first-leg draw and sent the Basque club into the last 16 of Europe’s second women’s competition.
The next round
Real Sociedad will learn their round-of-16 opponents on Friday. For now, the Zubieta side can celebrate a long-awaited first victory of the campaign, achieved on a night that kept their European run alive.
