Real Sociedad 2 : 2 Granada CF - Granada late show dents Sociedad hopes

Posted Monday, May 13, 2013 by PA

Jose Recio's dramatic injury-time equaliser ensured struggling Granada dented Real Sociedad's Champions League hopes with a 2-2 draw.

The hosts looked set for all three points thanks to Imanol Agirretxe's double in-between Youssef El Arabi's leveller for Granada, but on-loan Malaga midfielder Recio popped up in the third minute of added-on time as the spoils were shared.

Sociedad still moved into the top four of the Primera Division but they are only level on points with Valencia and still have tricky fixtures against Sevilla and Real Madrid to come.

They started in emphatic fashion tonight, however, going ahead with their first real sight at goal.

Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalo Castro swung in a free-kick from the right wing, with Agirretxe heading home from close range.

To their credit, Granada hit back in the 15th minute as Gabriel Torje's strike from distance was deflected into the path of El Arabi, who drilled past Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half, with both sides resorting to long distance strikes.

However, in the final minute of the half, Agirretxe gave Sociedad the lead once more after converting from Carlos Vela's left-wing cross.

The 26-year-old striker nearly had his hat-trick after the interval, but saw his strike from inside the area cannon off the post, while at the other end, Claudio did magnificently to keep out El Arabi's point-blank strike and Mikel Rico missed the target from close range.

The visitors continued to pour forward in search of an equaliser and Claudio once again had to be at his best to tip on-loan Benfica forward Nolito's 25-yard strike round the post.

They were nearly caught on the hop as Vela became the second Sociedad player to be denied by the woodwork after his strike with his weaker right foot came back off a post.

Claudio once again outlined his importance to Sociedad's hopes of emerging with all three points with two brilliant saves off Yacine Brahimi and Nolito.

But the Sociedad custodian's efforts proved to be in vain as Recio hammered home from 12 yards to reward Granada's efforts.