Real Sociedad routed Málaga 5-2 away at La Rosaleda stadium on Sunday, October 18, 2026, climbing to fifth in the La Liga table as Takefusa Kubo opened the scoring early and Mikel Oyarzabal added two goals in a dominant Matchday 9 performance.
Sunday afternoon at La Rosaleda delivered a clear division separating the top half of Spain’s top flight from the bottom. Real Sociedad overwhelmed their hosts in a seven-goal fixture that left the home side anchored at the foot of the standings. While the visitors controlled the tempo and punished defensive errors, Málaga’s brief flashes of resistance ultimately collapsed under sustained pressure.
Kubo and Oskarsson Set Early Pace
The visiting side wasted little time establishing control. Takefusa Kubo broke the deadlock in the third minute, cutting in from the right flank and unleashing a shot from the corner of the penalty area that clipped a defender and sailed into the top corner.
Málaga attempted to respond when Adrián Niño tested Álex Remiro with a close-range header following a left-wing cross, but the Real Sociedad goalkeeper reacted with sharp reflexes to turn the ball away for a corner. Real Sociedad doubled their advantage in the 26th minute. Following a midfield clearance from Adrián Niño, defensive passivity allowed Orri Oskarsson to race clear on a fast break and slot a low finish past Alfonso Herrero, handing the visitors a comfortable two-goal cushion heading toward halftime.
Málaga Fights Back Before Visitors Pull Away
The second half opened with renewed energy from the home side. Málaga introduced Adam Aznou and Ramón Enríquez from the bench, a tactical change that paid immediate dividends in the 54th minute when Adrián Niño converted from the penalty spot after receiving a pass inside the box from Pablo Martínez.
Real Sociedad quickly restored their authority as Mikel Oyarzabal drove a low, unchallenged shot past Herrero in the 59th minute. Although Málaga answered back moments later with a spectacular volley into the top corner from Pablo Martínez, Oyarzabal struck again in the 67th minute with a near-identical finish. Gonçalo Guedes capped the scoring in the 73rd minute by turning in a rebound after Oskarsson’s header crashed against the crossbar.
Real Sociedad Climbs to Fifth Place
The emphatic victory lifts Real Sociedad to fifth place in the league table with 16 points after nine matches. Their combination of sharp counterattacks, set-piece threat, and wide play proved too much for a struggling defense.
For Málaga, the defeat deepens a difficult campaign. Without a league win in 12, the club sits in 20th place with just four points.
