December 23, 2024

Real Sociedad outclass Benfica 3-1 to edge closer to last 16

Benfica #Benfica

Real Sociedad edged closer to a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Benfica in Group D on Wednesday, which ended the Portuguese side’s faint hopes of reaching the last 16.

Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal and Ander Barrenetxea scored for Sociedad in the first 21 minutes of the game.

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In the second half, Rafa Silva netted Benfica’s first goal in the competition after three previous defeats in the group, but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

It was Sociedad’s third consecutive Champions League win as they provisionally took top spot in Group D on 10 points with two games remaining.

Real Sociedad’s first half blitz included two disallowed goals on top of the three that counted.

Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images

Inter Milan are second on seven points, four clear of RB Salzburg in third. Real Sociedad and Inter will qualify for the last 16 should Inter beat the Austrian team later on Wednesday.

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