UEL: Lazio Thrash 10-Man Real Sociedad to Secure Europa League Last-16 Spot

Lazio secured a convincing 3-0 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad to book their spot in the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

Lazio cemented their position in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 with a resounding 3-0 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad at the Stadio Olimpico. This win maintained Lazio's unbeaten record in the competition, with six wins and one draw. The Italian side's dominance was on full display as they secured their spot in the next round.

Lazio entered the match looking to build on their momentum from the weekend, where they solidified their position in Serie A's top four with a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona. Marco Baroni's men got off to a flying start, taking the lead after just five minutes through Mario Gila's impressive strike. The goal originated from a Lazio free-kick, which Real Sociedad failed to clear, allowing Gila to rifle a first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the six-yard box.

Real Sociedad pushed to find an equalizer midway through the first half, with Luka Sucic expertly controlling the ball just inside the penalty area before bending a left-footed shot towards the far-top corner. However, the Croatian's strike ultimately crashed back off the post, denying the visitors a crucial goal. The miss proved costly, as Real Sociedad's task became significantly more challenging just 30 minutes into the match.

The turning point came when Aihen Munoz received a second yellow card for fouling Gustav Isaksen, reducing Real Sociedad to 10 men. Lazio capitalized on their numerical advantage just two minutes later, doubling their lead through Mattia Zaccagni's low, placed effort. This goal gave Lazio a comfortable cushion, allowing them to cruise to a 3-0 victory and secure their spot in the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

Lazio further extended their lead shortly after, with Valentin Castellanos scoring a fantastic glancing header from a precise Nuno Tavares cross. This goal showcased the Biancocelesti's attacking prowess and left Real Sociedad with a mountain to climb.

FT | 3-1

✅ VINCIAMO NOI!#LazioRealSociedad#UEL 🇪🇺#CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/3Q4bT1zivz

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) January 23, 2025

Imanol Alguacil's side struggled to regain their footing in the second half, as Lazio dominated possession and dictated the tempo of the game. Marco Baroni's men seemed content with maintaining their lead and seeing out the match, but they continued to pose a threat to Sociedad's defense.

Buonanotte 🥰#UEL 🇪🇺#CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/CbqV9hy7UR

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) January 23, 2025

Despite their dominance, Lazio were denied a fourth goal when Pedro Rodriguez hit the crossbar from close range with just under 15 minutes remaining. However, Real Sociedad managed to pull a goal back in the closing stages through Ander Barrenetxea, who headed home from inside the six-yard box.

Ultimately, Lazio's lead proved insurmountable, and they secured a convincing 3-0 victory to strengthen their grip on first place in the table. With 19 points from a possible 21, the Biancocelesti are firmly in control of their UEFA Europa League group. Despite the defeat, Real Sociedad remain on course to advance to the play-off round, requiring only a modest result in their final match to ensure progression.