Aberdeen are on the brink of a Europa League exit after losing 2-0 to Real Sociedad in their third-round qualifier at the Anoeta Stadium tonight.
Second-half strikes from David Zurutuza and Sergio Canales condemned Derek McInnes's side to a first-leg defeat to give them a mountain to climb at Pittodrie next week.
It took some 25 minutes for either side to fashion a clear goalscoring opportunity as Markel Bergara flashed his shot narrowly over the bar from range.
The Dons did well to ensure parity at the break, with Alfred Finnbogason and Ruben Pardo both smashing over for the Spanish outfit.
However, their good work was undone just eight minutes after the interval when Zurutuza capitalised on a botched clearance from Shaleum Logan to give Sociedad an advantage.
It would have been two soon after if not for the crossbar, as Bergara dispossessed Barry Robson before seeing his bid for a second rebuffed by the woodwork.
It was only a matter of time before Jagoba Arrasate's side found the elusive second, however, and it came minutes later when Canales found the bottom corner from the edge of the area as Sociedad took a giant step into the playoff rounds.
Shane Callaghan
