Real Sociedad will fight for qualification in Zubieta
The San Sebastián side and Hearts signed for a draw (0-0) in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Europa second qualifying round. A missed penalty in added time by Nerea Eizagirre could have decided the tie, but the tie will be decided at Zubieta on Wednesday 30 September at 19:00.
23 SEP 2026
Real Sociedad left the Ainslie Park Stadium empty-handed. Gorka Álvarez's side started better, taking the initiative in the match, and frequently playing in the Scottish side's area, although without clear chances of danger. Twenty minutes into the game, both Cecilia Marcos and Ainhoa Marín made runs down either flank, but the longed-for goal still failed to materialise. Indeed, both players had the two clearest opportunities of the first half. Cecilia Marcos cut inside from the right and unleashed a powerful strike that went just wide. For her part, Ainhoa Marín threatened again with a shot that the home goalkeeper saved. Ava Seelenfreund also came close to scoring, but Rachel Johnstone prevented the goal with a magnificent intervention. The last chance before the break fell to Ainoa Campo, who rose to meet a cross inside the area, but her header went over the bar.
After the interval, the txuri-urdin outfit continued to press forward, seeking the opposition's goal. Half an hour into the second half, the scoreboard still read 0-0, and it wasn't long before the first substitutions were made, with Laura Camino, Ane Isasisasmendi, and Carlota Chacón coming on in search of a goal. With twenty minutes remaining, the woodwork denied Ainoa Campo a goal. The final changes saw Nerea Eizagirre and Paula Fernández enter the fray to give everything in attack. The tie could have been decided in added time with a penalty, but Nerea Eizagirre, who had taken responsibility from eleven metres, sent the spot-kick wide. The tie will be decided on Wednesday, 30 September at 19:00h in Zubieta, with a place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup at stake, where Real Sociedad is the first Spanish team to compete in this competition.