Real Sociedad welcomed Villarreal to the Anoeta for the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday.
The visitors entered the match as the slight favourites to advance following a 1-0 win in the first leg at El Madrigal last week.
Villarreal led 1-0 after 27 minutes when Gerard Moreno found the back of the net, but Carlos Vela levelled the scores on the night moments before the half-time whistle.
Giovani dos Santos made it 2-1 Villarreal after 73 minutes, but Esteban Granero levelled the scores two minutes later.
Sociedad entered the final 10 minutes needing to score two more goals and they had a helping hand when Mateo Musacchio was sent from the field for a second bookable offence.
However, Villarreal survived the latter stages to secure their spot in the next round, where they will meet Getafe.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's Copa del Rey coverage continues from the Anoeta as Real Sociedad welcome Villarreal for the second leg of their last-16 stage. As it stands, Villarreal hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg last week. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Yuri, Mikel, Inigo, A.Elustondo; Canales, Granero, Prieto, Pardo; Vela, Agirretxe
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Rukavina, Musacchio, Dorado, J.Costa; Pina, Trigueros, Moi, Nahuel; Giovani, Gerard
Sociedad will seemingly line up in a 4-4-2 formation this evening, with head coach David Moyes selecting a midfield diamond. Esteban Granero, Xabi Prieto and Ruben Pardo all start for the Basque outfit, while Carlos Vela is joined in attack by Imanol Agirretxe. There is also a place in the team for 20-year-old defender Aritz Elustondo.
Villarreal boss Marcelino, meanwhile, has made a number of changes from the weekend's clash with Malaga. Among those to come into the XI are Tomas Pina and Gerard Moreno, while there is also a place in the team for highly-rated 18-year-old Nahuel Leiva. Giovani dos Santos also starts for the visitors.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Villarreal have won four of the last five matches, with Sociedad also winning once during that run of games. As mentioned, Villarreal were 1-0 winners in the first leg last week, while they also beat Sociedad 4-0 in the league earlier this season. What's more, Villarreal won 2-1 in the league at this stadium towards the end of last season.
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Sociedad's form has improved since Moyes took charge of the Basque outfit in November, with just one defeat from seven league matches leaving them 12th in the table. They have really struggled on the road this season, but their home form has been decent. In fact, they have already beaten Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the league at the Anoeta this term - some scalp!
In terms of their progression in this particular competition, Sociedad were 2-0 aggregate winners over Real Oviedo in the previous round. They have won the Copa del Rey on two occasions – 1909 and 1987 – while they reached the semi-finals of the competition last season. Just a reminder that the winner of this tie will face either Getafe or Almeria, who also meet this evening, in the next round.
Villarreal, meanwhile, have never won the Copa del Rey. They were knocked out in this stage of the competition last season, but did reach the quarter-finals in both the 2007-08 season and 2010-11 season. The Yellow Submarine were comfortable winners over Cadiz in the last round this term.
Villarreal also enter this match off the back of an incredible 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions. They have drawn two of their last three, but a strong La Liga campaign thus far has left them in sixth position, just four points off the top four. There is a feeling that this could be a very fruitful campaign for Marcelino's side, who have been playing some super football in recent weeks.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it very difficult to separate the two sides this evening. Sociedad have been strong at home this season, but Villarreal are in such a rich vein of form. I am going to back a 1-1 draw on the night, which would see the visitors advance with an aggregate score of 2-1.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period at the Anoeta. Let's hope for a cracking evening of football. It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway.
Not a full house inside the Anoeta this evening, but there is still a decent atmosphere and Sociedad will need their supporters if they are to turn this one around against an in-form Villarreal side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes, but the home side have been in control of the possession. Just a reminder that the only score that would bring extra-time is 1-0 Sociedad. The winner of this tie, meanwhile, will face either Sevilla or Granada in the quarter-finals.
Both managers have taken to the touchline in the early moments, but neither has had too much to shout about thus far. It has been a routine six minutes, with both sides enjoying spells with the ball.
Canales has had a couple of bright moments, with the Sociedad midfielder showing his quality on the ball. We have not seen too much from Villarreal, however, with Moreno and Giovani struggling for service thus far. Just a reminder that Vietto is on the bench for the Yellow Submarine this evening.
Well, we are 10 minutes into this match and in truth, not too much has happened. Sociedad have had more of the ball, but neither side has been able to break through that last line of defence thus far.
Sociedad continue to play the better football as Granero attempts to slide a through pass into Vela, but it was just too far ahead of the Mexican. Moments before, Yuri delivered a dangerous cross into the Villarreal box, but Musacchio was on hand to clear. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock here.
BOOKING! Pardo (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Pina.
Yuri has a half-chance for the home side after driving to the edge of the Villarreal box, but his powerful strike was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. First real strike in anger there.
Really good spell of pressure from the away side as they force two corners in quick succession, but Sociedad manage to clear the danger. Villarreal are starting to show some good signs here.
CHANCE! Easily the best chance of the match as Trigueros finds space inside the Sociedad box before firing one towards the top corner, but Rulli is on hand to make a fine save.
BOOKING! Musacchio (Villarrreal) is booked for a late challenge on Rulli.
Musacchio just needs to be a little bit careful as he flies into the back of Vela, who is quick to hit the ground. The referee has been a little card happy early on that is for certain. Sociedad are still in control of the possession, but the away side are now causing more problems in the final third of the field.
BOOKING! Mikel (Sociedad) goes into the book for a late challenge on Nahuel.
Moyes gets a telling-off from the referee following his reaction to that booking!
GOAL! Sociedad 0-1 Villarreal (Moreno)
Villarreal have their away goal as Giovani drives to the edge of the Sociedad box before finding Moreno, who bends a beautiful effort into the bottom corner. That is a super, super goal from the striker.
Moreno now has 10 league goals for the season. Villarreal's youth talent is quite incredible.
Sociedad have attempted to respond with a couple of dangerous crosses, but Villarreal deal with the danger before breaking down the other end. As it stands, the away side lead 2-0 on aggregate.
Little over 10 minutes of this first period remaining and Villarreal are very, very comfortable in the tie. We can no longer have extra-time in this match. As it stands, Sociedad need to score three times to advance into the quarter-finals. It is a really tough ask against a side with the quality of Villarreal.
It has been a decent response from the home side, but they are really struggling to put that sequence together in the final third, with Villarreal comfortable at the back. A half-chance arrives as Prieto delivers a dangerous corner towards the far post, but Dorado just turns over his own crossbar.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Giovani finds some space inside the Sociedad box, but his effort is blocked by Yuri. Sociedad are over-playing at the back and causing their own problems here.
Just a reminder that the winner of this tie will meet either Sevilla or Granada in the quarter-finals. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, meanwhile, are all in the other side of the draw.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes. In truth, it is very comfortable for Villarreal, who remain a threat on the counter attack due to the pace of their forwards.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score their second of the night as Gomez dances past Mikel before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Rulli is on hand to make the save.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal (Vela)
Tie back on! Sociedad level on the night as Vela converts from close range after Asenjo had denied Inigo from a corner. Well, that has made the second period more interesting hasn't it!
HALF-TIME: Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Villarreal opened the scoring through Moreno after 27 minutes, but Vela's strike moments before the half-time whistle has given Sociedad hope. As it stands, Villarreal lead the tie 2-1 on aggregate.
STATS! Sociedad have just shaded the possession statistics at the Anoeta with 53%, while they have had two attempts - just one of which has been on target. Villarreal, however, have had four attempts on target. There have also been three bookings following a few feisty challenges.
BENCH WATCH! Sociedad boss Moyes has a number of attacking options on his bench this evening in the shape of Castro, Finnbogason and Hervias. Villarreal, meanwhile, have the likes of Jonathan dos Santos, Bruno and Luciano Vietto on their star-studded bench in the Basque country.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Sociedad need two more goals to make the quarter-finals. Villarreal get the second half underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-1 for the next 20 minutes or so.
CHANCE! Villarreal come close to scoring their second as Moi Gomez combines with Moreno before striking towards goal, but Martinez is on hand to make a fine block. Sociedad are down the other end moments later, but Villarreal manage to clear the resulting corner. Fast start to the half!
Moreno hits one from distance, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Villarreal as the away side break with Giovani, but the Mexican's goal-bound effort is blocked by Inigo. End-to-end football in the last few minutes here.
BOOKINGS! Inigo and Yuri (both Sociedad) have picked up bookings for dissent. They wanted not one, but two free kicks in the build-up to that latest Villarreal chance.
CHANCE! Another Villarreal chance as Musacchio meets a super cross from Costa, but the Sociedad stopper makes another excellent save. Good grief it is all happening at the moment here!
Just a reminder that, as it stands, Sociedad need two goals without reply to book their spot in the next round. I have a strong feeling that we have not seen the last of the scoring at the Anoeta.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side this time as Prieto meets a deep cross from Vela, but Costa is on hand to block the midfielder's header. Good grief what a start to the second half.
BOOKING! Vela (Sociedad) is booked for a pull on Giovani.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining and the score remains level at 1-1. However, Villarreal lead the tie 2-1 overall, with their away goal making that score even stronger. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Which boss will move first?
Villarreal remain a serious threat on the counter attack, but they have been guilty of some sloppy passing in the final third. Sociedad threaten with another corner, but Agirretxe heads over the crossbar.
SUB! Sociedad make their first change as Castro replaces Canales.
BOOKING! Nahuel (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Pardo.
Half-chance for the home side as Vela delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Costa is on hand to clear ahead of Prieto. The pressure continues with a dangerous Castro cross, but Asenjo is on hand to punch clear. Little over 25 minutes of the tie remaining and Sociedad still need two goals.
SUB! Villarreal make their first change as Bruno replaces Pina.
Sociedad are really forcing the issue at the moment, but that is leaving them open to the counter down the other end. How on earth have there been no goals in the second half? It remains 1-1 on the night.
SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Mario replaces Nahuel.
BOOKING! Giovani (Villarreal) goes into the book for dissent.
Sociedad threaten with another set piece from the left, but Trigueros is on hand to clear ahead of Inigo. Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining and Sociedad still need two goals here.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-2 Villarreal (Giovani)
Villarreal have their second of the night as Giovani bundles his way into the Sociedad box before finishing into the bottom corner. That should be just about that in terms of this tie!
As it stands, Sociedad need three goals to advance.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-2 Villarreal (Granero)
WOW! Sociedad level on the night as Granero combines with Vela before rattling a sensational volley into the top corner. That is an absolute dream of a goal from the midfielder!
SUB! Sociedad make their second change as Finnbogason replaces Mikel.
Suddenly it is all one-way traffic as Sociedad continue to force the issue. They need two more goals.
Half-chance for the home side as Pardo strikes one from outside the box, but Asenjo is on hand to make the save. It is all hands to the pump for Villarreal as they survive yet another Sociedad corner.
SUB! Villarreal make their third change as Cheryshev replaces Gomez.
Villarreal have just managed to stem the flow of pressure in the last couple for minutes, but Sociedad remain a serious threat in the final third. Moyes is very animated on the touchline at the moment.
MOYES SENT TO THE STANDS!
The Scot has been sent from the touchline for arguing with the referee. Scenes!
RED CARD! Musacchio (Villarreal)
Villarreal are down to 10 men as Musacchio is sent from the field for a late challenge on Agirretxe just outside the box. Wonderful chance for the home side to score their third of the night here...
... Castro strikes the free kick straight into the wall.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Villarreal as Cheryshev leads a counter for the away side before finding Giovani all alone inside the Sociedad box, but his touch is heavy and Rulli smothers.
There are a lot of tired legs out there at the moment, but still Sociedad press in the final third.
It is like a training match at the moment, with Villarreal camped inside their own box and Sociedad swinging cross after cross into the box, but the away side survive yet another onslaught.
BOOKING! Cheryshev (Villarreal) is booked for a lunge on Vela.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here. Sociedad are going out.
Sociedad deliver another deep free kick into the Villarreal box, but once again the danger is cleared and that should be just about that. What a match it has been at the Anoeta!
FULL-TIME: Sociedad 2-2 Villarreal (Villarreal win 3-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Villarreal advancing 3-2 on aggregate following a 2-2 draw at the Anoeta. The Yellow Submarine will meet Getafe in the quarter-finals. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for what was a brilliant night of football. Good evening!
