Real Sociedad vs Racing Santander

Real Sociedad's first pre-season friendly of the 2026-27 campaign — their first match since winning the Copa del Rey on 18 April — saw head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo field a completely different XI in each half, as is customary for early summer friendlies.

The Basque side took the lead in the 19th minute through Icelandic striker Orri Óskarsson, who tapped home from close range after a delivery from Marchal. Óskarsson almost doubled the lead shortly after when he met a Barrenetxea cross at the far post, but his left-footed effort drifted wide.

Racing Santander, who had started the brighter of the two sides with early chances for Asier Villalibre and Castellanos, grew into the game. The visitors' best moment of the first half came when former Real Sociedad playmaker Sergio Canales — returning to Zubieta — saw a shot flash across the face of goal in the 55th minute.

The equaliser arrived in the 82nd minute. Gabriel Jimenez picked up the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful strike that beat Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro, who had otherwise produced a solid display with several good saves.

Gorka Carrera had a chance to win it for Real Sociedad in stoppage time, but the final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils.

Matarazzo's decision to make 11 substitutions at half-time — effectively fielding a new team — disrupted the rhythm Real Sociedad had built in the opening period. Racing Santander's more settled second-half XI, featuring Canales, Iñigo Vicente and Andrés Martín, seized control of possession and pinned the hosts back. The equaliser felt increasingly inevitable as the half wore on.

Orri Óskarsson (Real Sociedad) — Opened his pre-season account with a poacher's finish in the 19th minute and could have had a second. The Icelandic striker continues to be the focal point of Real Sociedad's attack.

K. Kita (Real Sociedad) — The Japanese defender impressed in the second half, reading danger well and making crucial interventions as Racing pushed for an equaliser.

Gabriel Jimenez (Racing Santander) — Introduced in the second half, the Racing midfielder scored a fine equaliser from distance and was a constant threat going forward.

Sergio Canales (Racing Santander) — Returning to the club where he made his name, the veteran playmaker dictated Racing's best attacking sequences and came close to scoring against his former side.

The match was a typical early pre-season affair: both sides prioritised minutes over result. Real Sociedad's first-half superiority — built on sharp interplay between Zakharyan, Turrientes and Barrenetxea — gave way to a more disjointed second period after wholesale changes. Racing Santander's 13 substitutions, more than any side usually makes in a competitive fixture, underlined the experimental nature of the contest. The solitary yellow card, shown to Racing's Mantilla, reflected a clean, low-intensity friendly.

For Real Sociedad, this was merely the first step of a pre-season schedule that continues next Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers in England. Matarazzo will be encouraged by the first-half performance but concerned by the late defensive fragility that allowed Racing back into the game — a recurring issue from last season.

Racing Santander, preparing for their Segunda División campaign, showed the benefit of a more settled second-half XI and will take confidence from their late equaliser.

A textbook pre-season friendly: plenty of experimentation, two entirely different XIs, and a result that neither side will dwell on. Real Sociedad showed promising flashes in the first half but the defensive vulnerabilities that plagued them last season resurfaced late on. Racing Santander grew into the game and deserved their point.