Elche’s winless streak stretched to five matches after a late Mikel Oyarzabal penalty earned Real Sociedad a 1–1 draw, ending the visitors’ six-match winning run in this fixture and extending their own search for an away victory in LaLiga this season.

Despite their recent struggles, Elche entered the game unbeaten at home since their promotion, and Rafa Mir looked determined to preserve that record. The forward twice tested Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro in the opening 15 minutes with sharp efforts that demanded quick reactions.

La Real took time to find their rhythm and didn’t threaten until midway through the first half, when Takefusa Kubo struck a clean half-volley from the edge of the area, only for Matías Dituro to parry. Elche responded immediately on the counter, as Rodri Mendoza fired narrowly wide.

Mir remained a constant threat, steering Josan Ferrández’s low cross inches past the post, while at the other end, Jon Gorrotxategi’s strike from distance whistled just wide after being set up by Gonçalo Guedes.
Before the break, Oyarzabal twice went close — first attempting an ambitious shot from the halfway line, then forcing Dituro into another fine save with a closer-range effort.

Real Sociedad, aiming for a fourth consecutive win, saw Brais Méndez test Dituro early in the second half but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Instead, Elche struck first on 57 minutes. After a cleared free-kick, the hosts recycled possession well, and Álvaro Núñez’s cross found an unmarked Álvaro Rodríguez, who controlled smartly before blasting into the roof of the net for his first goal of the season.

Sergio Francisco’s side nearly equalised 10 minutes later when Jon Aramburu’s towering header was tipped over brilliantly by Dituro. Time was running out for the visitors, but two minutes from the end, they were handed a lifeline when David Affengruber fouled Umar Sadiq in the box.

Oyarzabal coolly converted from the spot to secure a point for La Real.
Elche remain unbeaten in six home matches under Eder Sarabia, while Sociedad continue their resilient run, avoiding defeat in four of the eight league games in which they’ve conceded first.