Lazio Becomes The First Team To The Last 16 After Defeating Real Sociedad

JAKARTA - Lazio became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League after defeating Real Sociedad 3-1 in the match at Stadon Olimpico, Rome, Friday, January 24, 2025 in the morning WIB. Lazio is also a team that has never lost in European competitions.

Lazio bersama Manchester United dan Galatasaray menjadi tiga tim yang belum pernah kalah. Namun hanya Lazio yang memastikan langkah ke babak knockout.

Meanwhile, MU still has to fight until the last match even though the English Premier League club has the opportunity to qualify automatically because it is currently ranked fourth. On the other hand, Galatasaray is still stuck in the playoffs zone.

However, they are ranked ninth so that the team of former Turkey's national team player Okan Badan still has the opportunity to break into the top eight as well as get an automatic ticket to the last 16.

Lazio himself confirmed his position at the top of the standings after beating Sociedad who played with 10 people since the 30th minute. The victory made Biancocelesti pocketed points 19. A three-point lead over Eintracht Frankfurt and Athletic Bilbao who were ranked second and third.

Meanwhile, Sociedad's chances of qualifying are also still open even though they are currently in the playoffs zone. They are in 18th position with 10.

The match itself was marked by an incident of hardline supporters commotion from both teams. The fight involving 150 supporters resulted in nine people being injured and having to undergo treatment.

Lazio, who previously beat Hellas Verona in the Italian Serie A, immediately hit the Sociedad defense. As a result, the game had only been running for five minutes, defender Mario Gila managed to break into the visitors' goal.

Starting from Nun Tavares' free kick that reached the penalty box. The ball was received by striker Valentin 'Taty' Castelanos who then handed it to Mario Gila. Without any difficulties, the 24-year-old Spanish defender broke into the opponent's goal.

Winning 1-0 made Lazio even more aggressive in playing offensive. They again opened up opportunities to increase their advantage through the Castellanos header which was brilliantly thwarted by Brais Mendez defenders. The ball rebounded and was greeted by Crazy who diligently helped attack. Only Crazy kick still soared.

When Sociedad was in a depressed position, the Spanish La Liga team actually lost a player. Because defender Aihen Munoz committed a foul on Gustav Isaksen. The referee also gave a second yellow card followed by a red card in the 30th minute.

Lazio seems to take advantage of the advantages of the number of players to suppress the Sociedad defense. The host's efforts were not in vain. Only two minutes later, midfielder Mattia Zaccagni successfully broke into the opponent's goal. He finished the assist from Isaksen to change the score to 2-0.

It didn't stop there, Lazio became more aggressive in attacking. Meanwhile, Sociedad, who relied on the star of the Japanese national team Takefusa Kubo, had difficulty getting out of the pressure. They were also forced to survive more to stem The Aquile's attack.

However, Sociedad's efforts were fruitless. This time it was Castelanos who solidified Lazio's lead to 3-0 in the 34th minute. His header which welcomed Tavares' cross-kick successfully broke into the opponent's goal. The score lasted until the first half was over.

In the second half, Lazio lowered the tempo of the game. Marco Baroni's team was only trying to maintain their lead. The reason is, Lazio lost Tavares who suffered a muscle injury so he had to be pulled out.

Sociedad was finally able to reduce the lag when entering the final minute of the match. The visitors' goal was produced by Ander Barrenetxea in the 82nd minute. The score changed 3-1 for Lazio and lasted until the game was over.