Real Sociedad Top Four push hit by Rayo Vallecano draw

Originally posted on Football Espana | By Feargal Brennan | Last updated 5/1/22

Real Sociedad have slipped up in their drive to secure a Top Four finish in La Liga this season after drawing 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano.

La Real end the weekend five points outside the Champions League places after fourth place Atletico Madrid lost 2-0 at Athletic Club last night.

Imanol Alguacil will view a point in Vallecas as a chance missed to put pressure on Atletico and Real Betis, during the run-in, and they may have to settle for Europa League football next season.

The visitors did create the better chances early on in the Spanish capital, with Portu denied in the opening stages, before Swedish star Alexander Sorloth fired home a deserved opener.

Great individual play by Alexander Sørloth!

Real Sociedad take the lead at Vallecas pic.twitter.com/XH0nesN3C4

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) May 1, 2022

However, the home side remained a threat either side of the restart, with Unai Lopez coming close on two occasions.

Rayo’s late pressure eventually paid off, as substitute Radamel Falcao pounced from close range, after Alvaro Garcia was kept out.

Super-sub @FALCAO saves @RayoVallecano a point at Vallecas! #LaLigaTV | #RayoRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/Vi0DA1ABK1

— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) May 1, 2022