Real Sociedad 2 - Villarreal 2

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Jauregi, Aranzábal; Xabi Alonso (Mikel Alonso 78'), Aranburu; Karpin, Nihat, De Pedro (Barkero 46'); Kovacevic (De Paula 87'). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Belletti, Quique Alvarez, Ballesteros, Arruabarrena; Quique Medina (Palermo 70'), Josico; Guayre (Víctor 35'), Jorge López, Calleja (Arzo 56'); De Nigris. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real: Aranzábal for Boris / Villarreal: Belletti, Arruabarrena, Calleja, De Nigris for Galván, Farinós, Víctor, Palermo.

Goals:
1-0. 26. Kovacevic. received pass from Aranburu and shot low past keeper.
2-0. 74. Kovacevic (penalty). After Kovacevic himself pulled back in area.
2-1. 93. Víctor. Headed over keeper after Palermo headed on long ball.
2-2. 94. Jorge López. Shot from edge of area after corner came out.

Real Sociedad threw away a two goal lead in the last minute of injury time, and ended up drawing 2-2 with Villarreal. After four defeats in the last five matches, Benito Floro decided to leave his two strikers Palermo and Víctor on the bench and pack his midfield. De Nigris made his first start up front, and the Mexican striker went close early with lob just wide of the post as the visitors got off to a lively beginning. However the Basques woke up after that, and soon after shooting into the side netting, Kovacevic put them ahead after a quick passing move with Nihat and Aranburu. Karpin shot just wide, and later in the second half Kovacevic got his second of the night from the penalty spot after referee González Vázquez ruled that Quique Alvarez had held him back by the shirt.

It appeared to be all over, but Floro threw on his two star forwards who combined to pull a goal back in the second minute of time added on, Palermo heading on a long ball for Víctor to steer his header over Westerveld. González allowed play to overrun the three minutes signalled by the fourth referee, and with Reina in the penalty area the ball went out of play. The referee awarded a corner, and with the home defenders still upset about his decision, the ball came out to Jorge López who blasted it through a crowd of players in to the net. It was a much needed point for the visitors, who are now three points above the drop zone. Real lose more ground on leaders Real Madrid, and although they edge further ahead of third placed Deportivo, they went home angry at the loss of two vital points.