La Liga: Real Sociedad 2 Granada 2

Granada have denied Real Sociedad victory in La Liga with midfielder Recio scoring a 93rd-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Sociedad led for almost the entire second half after Imanol Agirretxe had put the hosts 2-1 up just before half-time but in a dramatic climax to the match, Granada pumped the ball forward and it fell to Recio, who smashed it into the net.

Despite Monday’s result, Sociedad regained fourth spot on the La Liga table, and its accompanying UEFA Champions League berth, ahead of Valencia with three rounds remaining this season.

Sociedad dominated the game at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta with 60 percent possession, although both sides had six shots on target.

Agirretxe opened the scoring for Sociedad in the ninth minute, getting free in the penalty area to head Gonzalo Castro’s free-kick past Granada goalkeeper Roberto Alvarellos.

But on the quarter-hour mark Granada drew level on a swift counter-attack with Youssef El-Arabi starting and finishing the move, eventually collecting a deflected shot by Gabriel Torje and volleying it into the net from close range.

Despite the setback, Sociedad recovered and edged ahead in the 45th minute when Agirretxe showed plenty of poise to chest Carlos Vela’s cross home.

With Sociedad chasing their first Champions League involvement since the 2003/04 season, the Basque club looked set to move two points ahead of Valencia until a long ball into their penalty area fell to Recio.

The 22-year-old Spanish midfielder had his first shot blocked but quickly side-footed the rebound through a group of players and past the outstretched palm of Sociedad’s Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

The result leaves Sociedad on 59 points with plus 19 goal difference with Valencia (59 points, plus 12) breathing down their necks.