Real Sociedad 0 - Osasuna 1

Real Sociedad: Alberto; López Rekarte, Julio César, Luiz Alberto, Aranzábal; Tayfun (Fuentes 70'), Idiakez; Khokhlov (Demetradze 48'), De Paula (Aranburu 60'), De Pedro; Jankauskas. 4-2-3-1.
Osasuna: Sanzol; Cruchaga, Yanguas, Jusué (Ibán Pérez 75'); Alfonso (Trzeciak 65'), Lekumberri, Alex Fernández; Gerardo, Gancedo, Angel Luis (Llorens 46'); Iván Rosado. 3-3-3-1.

Team changes: Real: Julio César, Tayfun for Loren, Xavi Alonso / Osasuna: Angel Luis for Armentano.

Goals:
0-1. 40. Iván Rosado. Ran on and shot through keeper's hands into roof of net.

Osasuna saved themselves and condemned Oviedo to the second division with a one goal victory over Basque neighbours Real Sociedad. The talk all week was whether the San Sebastian side would try their hardest or would allow their rivals to win the game, and manager John Toshack put out a full strength side to allay the rumours. Toshack was not on the pitch though, and it appeared that Real did not have much interest in winning the game, having secured their continuity in the top flight a week or two ago. With a win bonus of around 250 million Pesetas to share between them the Pamplona side came out fighting, and Angel Luis was in the thick of things right from the start. The Canary Island born forward has not had many opportunities this season, but with Armentano injured he got the nod, and after trying blatantly to win a penalty with a clear dive, he first hit the post and then brought a good save out of Alberto.

Real replied briefly through De Paula and Julio César, but that was about all they could muster as Osasuna dominated the game. Iván Rosado headed straight at the keeper when alone in front of goal, but he made up for it a few minutes later running across the edge of the area before turning and driving a powerful shot through Alberto's outstretched arms and in to the corner of the net. The relief on Lotina's face was a picture, and as Mallorca moved into a commanding lead against Oviedo, Osasuna were out of the relegation zone. Only substitute Demetradze caused them any grief in the second half, and Osasuna could have gone further ehead if their strikers had been more on target.

Real's Fuentes came on near the end to a standing ovation for his last game before retiring, and Trzeciak was sent off for the visitors in the last minute for a second bookable offence. Then Llonch Andreu ended the game, and the streets of Pamplona were awash with red shirts as the fans came out to celebrate as only they know how (no bulls this time though), with club president Francisco Javier Miranda fulfilling his promise and taking a night-time dip at the famous Concha beach in San Sebastian. Osasuna had survived, and although Oviedo may protest about Real Sociedad's performance, nothing can ever be proved. That's the harsh reality of football sometimes.