Football: Kubo nets opener, forces own goal in Sociedad win

Japan attacker Takefusa Kubo scored the opener and forced an own goal as Real Sociedad claimed a 3-2 win away to Espanyol in Spain's La Liga on Monday.

The 21-year-old bagged his fourth league goal of the season when he controlled the ball inside the box and buried a thumping effort while it was in the air in the 23rd minute at RCDE Stadium.

Alexander Sorloth tapped in Sociedad's second in the 51st minute before Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera headed in Kubo's cross from the right into his own net to make it 3-0 in the 63rd minute.

"I could control the ball the way I wanted and managed to get my foot through it with calm," Kubo, who played the entire game, said of his opener.

Sergi Darder gave Espanyol a lifeline in the 74th minute and Brian Olivan scored with a close-range strike with three minutes left, but Sociedad held on for the win.

"We aren't going anywhere being satisfied with this kind of result. It was a match we had to win at any cost," said Kubo after third-place Sociedad secured their first league win in three games.

"I'm being trusted (by manager Imanol Alguacil). It comes with responsibility but I'm also getting great joy from it."

© Kyodo News