Guedes Rescues Sociedad as Atletico Settle for Anoeta Draw

Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid shared the spoils after a fiercely contested 1-1 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta, a result that reflected the fine margins and relentless intensity of a high level LaLiga battle.

The opening half was played at a sharp tempo, with both sides trading early territory without finding a decisive breakthrough. Real Sociedad showed intent through Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal, probing Atletico’s backline with quick combinations and set pieces, while Jan Oblak was called into action to deny long-range efforts from Brais Mendez and Carlos Soler.

Atletico, as expected, were compact and disciplined, looking to strike through transitions. Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone both went close from half chances, while Marcos Llorente tested the hosts from distance following a corner. Despite a flurry of late Sociedad pressure, the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.

The game burst into life shortly after the restart. Atletico struck first in the 50th minute when Giuliano Simeone delivered a teasing cross from the right, allowing Alexander Sorlot to rise unmarked at the near post and power a header past Alex Remiro. It was a classic Atletico goal, direct and ruthless, and seemed to tilt momentum in the visitors’ favour.

Real Sociedad responded with urgency and composure. Just five minutes later, Kubo led a devastating counter-attack, driving at pace before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Goncalo Guedes. The Portuguese winger made no mistake, rifling a right-footed finish into the top corner to restore parity and ignite the Anoeta crowd.

The remainder of the match unfolded as a tactical duel. Sociedad pushed for a winner through sustained possession, with Oblak producing key saves to deny Kubo, Turrientes and Soler. Atletico remained dangerous on the break, with Antoine Griezmann forcing a sharp stop from Remiro and Sorlot seeing a late header blocked from close range.

Both managers turned to their benches in the closing stages, but clear-cut chances became scarce as fatigue set in. A late Sociedad break nearly delivered a dramatic winner, only for Soler to drag his effort wide under pressure.

In the end, a draw felt a fair outcome. Real Sociedad showed resilience and attacking intent, while Atletico once again demonstrated their ability to manage difficult away fixtures. The result keeps both sides firmly in the European conversation as LaLiga enters a crucial phase of the season.