Despite a valiant effort against the La Liga Side, Aberdeen this evening failed to progress to the play-off round of the Europa League.

Aberdeen 2 (2) | Pawlett 44′, Reynolds 56′
Real Sociedad 3 (5) | Prieto 28′, 85′ (Pen) Bergara 90+1′

Europa League Qualifying Round 3, 2nd leg | Pittodrie | 7.45pm | FT | Att: 17,676

Match summary

Trying to overhaul a 2 goal first leg deficit, The Dons lost a crucial away goal when a corner was headed in at the near post by the Sociedad captain. They responded well though and got a goal back just before half time when McGinn’s low cross fell to Goodwillie whose shot was blocked but Peter Pawlett smashed in the rebound to give them a deserved equaliser.

After the break, the home side started well and were rewarded when a superb cross from Niall McGinn was headed into the back of the net by Mark Reynolds. Needing two more goals, they pushed to try and claw back the deficit and dominated the game for long spells. But it was the Basque side who won a penalty with 4 minutes left when Bella broke through and Logan brought him down in the box. Preito converted the penalty to score his second of the evening. And The Dons suffered a cruel end to the game when an outstanding cross from the right was headed in by Bergara in added time.

A superb effort by the team & the fantastic support this evening who can look forward to the SPFL Premiership campaign which kicks off against Dundee United on Sunday.

Full match report  | please click here

Image gallery | please click here

Quotes from the press room | please click here

REDTV
The goals | please click here
Extended match highlights | please click here (to follow)

Derek McInnes | please click here
Mark Reynolds with the media | please click here
Mark Reynolds on REDTV | please click here
David Goodwillie | please click here
Peter Pawlett  | please click here
Real Sociedad Manger- Jagoba Arrasate | please click here

Team News

Aberdeen | Jamie Langfield, Shay Logan, Russell Anderson, Mark Reynolds, Andrew Considine (Low 71′), Ryan Jack, Willo Flood, Jonny Hayes, Peter Pawlett (Adam Rooney 65′), Niall McGinn, David Goodwillie (Ashton Taylor 82′)

Substitutes not used | Scott Brown, Barry Robson, Cammy Smith, Jeffrey Monakana

Real Sociedad | 13 Zubikarai 4 Elus 5 Markel 6 Iñigo 7 Finnbogason 10 Prieto (c.) 14 Pardo 17 Zurutuza 18 Chory 20 Zaldua 24 De la Bella

Substitutes |  1 Rulli 2 C.Martínez 3 Mikel 9 Agirretxe 15 Ansotegi 16 Canales 25 Granero