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Real Sociedad Beat Celta To Book Copa Del Rey Semifinal Spot

By IANS News January 24, 2024 • 09:20 AM View: 358

Jorgen Strand Larsen: Real Sociedad became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a 2-1 win away to Celta Vigo, who rested a host of key players and paid the price.

Perhaps with an eye on his side's delicate league position, Celta coach Rafael Benitez left several regular starters such as Carles Perez, Unai Nunez, Iago Aspas, Oscar Mingueza and Jorgen Strand Larsen on the subs' bench.

The changes clearly weakened his side, and led to a lack of coordination that allowed Real Sociedad to take the lead after two minutes as weak defending saw Celta fail to deal with a long throw, allowing Mikel Merino to hook the ball into the area, where the unmarked Mikel Oyarzabal had a simple header to score, reports Xinhua.