Cádiz came away with a defeat from the Reale Arena, where the video assistant referee took centre stage. A series of decisions at key moments taken on the pitch by Pizarro Gómez, were changed by Mateu Lahoz in the VAR room, with Cádiz suffering each time.
The game started as expected, with Cádiz lining up with their predicted team and Real Sociedad, without Silva, with the clear intention to dominate both possession and control of the match. A cross/shot from Isak repelled by Ledesma was the most notable moment of the first quarter of an hour, which ended with the first set back for the visitors: an injury to Jonsson. The Danish player had to leave the pitch with a muscle issue and was substituted by Garrido.
That was only the start of the problems for Cádiz however. Just eight minutes later, a Real Sociedad corner was cleared by los amarillos with apparently no consequences. However Mateu Lahoz, the VAR official, indicated there might have been a handball from Negredo. The penalty was awarded and scored by Oyarzábal.
Cádiz pushed their press higher and in Choco Lozano’s first attack the referee gave a penalty to the visitors for a handball from Zubeldia. Just as Negredo was ready to take the spot-kick, the VAR reviewed the play and reversed the decision. Straight after, Oyarzábal took full advantage of a one-on-one, having carved out a space in the Cádiz defence, to make it 2-0. If things were looking difficult for Cádiz before, this goal made the job all the harder.
But there was more bad news in the first half. Oyarzábal was brought down by Marcos Mauro, leaving his arm out to impede the Real Sociedad player. Pizarro Gómez showed the defender a yellow card, but the VAR stepped in again to change the decision and send the player off with a straight red card.
Álvaro Cervera decided to bring on Alcalá and Sobrino for Iza and Lozano with everything going against Cádiz. His plan only lasted eight minutes. Isak, with a diagonal shot, took full advantage of a pass from Janubaj to make it 3-0. The wound was ever deeper. And it got worse when Isak got on the scoresheet again, knocking home a rebound from Ledesma from an Oyarzábal shot.
Saponjic and Espino came on for Negredo and Juan Cala. Jairo got a goal back in a one-on-one thanks to an exceptional pass from Pera, in the 64th minute. Cádiz, a man down, were still facing an eternity, and the fifth goal for the hosts was always more likely than the second for the visitors. A goal from Merquelanz was ruled out for offside, Ledesma saved a point-blank effort from the striker - who had come on for Januzaj - and Espino cleared a shot off the line from Carlos Fernández who had rounded the keeper.
Cádiz showed their courage and gave everything they had to give on the pitch in San Sebastian. In eight days they face Athletic Club.
