Goals from Willi Orban, Andre Silva and an Emil Forsberg penalty helped RB Leipzig to a 3-1 UEFA Europa League play-off victory away to Real Sociedad, with Domenico Tedesco's men advancing to the tournament's Round of 16 by 5-3 on aggregate.

Real Sociedad 1-3 RB Leipzig (agg. 3-5)
Goals: 0-1 Orban 39', 0-2 Andre Silva 59' (assist: Simakan), 1-2 Zubimendi 65', 1-3 Forsberg (pen.) 89'

Soaring in confidence after a 6-1 win against Hertha Berlin at the weekend took them up to fourth place in the Bundesliga standings, Leipzig quickly picked up where they left off, taking the game to their hosts at the Estadio de Anoeta. Lukas Klostermann tested Mathew Ryan in just the third minute, and the home 'keeper was called into action almost immediately afterwards, making amends for a loose pass to deny the alert Kevin Kampl. Perhaps still smarting from Sunday's heavy derby defeat against rivals Athletic Bilbao, La Real struggled to break out against the visitors and they were fortunate to avoid going behind once again when Ryan gathered Willi Orban's effort following a set piece. A menace throughout against the San Sebastian-based side in last week's first leg, Christopher Nkunku was a thorn in the side of the hosts once again and when his quick movement bamboozled Ryan in the Sociedad area, Leipzig were awarded a penalty. The busy goalkeeper stopped Andre Silva's spot-kick, but he could do nothing about Orban's follow up which gave Domenico Tedesco's men a deserved lead.

La Real had previously won just twice in nine games against German opposition and the home side appeared up against it in terms of improving on that record as the second half progressed. Dani Olmo tested Ryan with a super effort from range which the home goalkeeper was equal to. Yet the Sociedad No.13's luck was out when Andre Silva latched on to Mohamed Simakan's precise assist before driving an unstoppable shot high in at the near post. The Bundesliga side looked set fair to advance, but there was life left in Los Txuri-Urdin, who reduced the arrears when Martin Zubimedi's close-range effort was allowed to stand after a long VAR check. The home fans urged their side on to complete a comeback that looked momentarily possible. When Elustondo handled from Nkunku to give Leipzig one more penalty, however, those hopes vanished, substitute Forsberg drilling home from the spot to send Leipzig into the Round of 16.

Match stats

• Forsberg's penalty was Leipzig's 1,000th goal in RB Leipzig's history.
• Orban has netted three goals in all competitions in 2021/22.
• Nkunku has scored 22 goals in 34 games in all competitions this season.
• This was the sides' very first European tie.
• Real have played ten times — winning just twice and losing five — against German opposition in European competition.
• Leipzig have three Spaniards on their books in Angelino, Josep Martinez and Dani Olmo, none of whom have played in La Liga.

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Line-ups

Real Sociedad: Ryan - Zaldua, Aritz, Le Normand (Silva 62'), Aihen - Zubimendi, Zubeldia, Rafinha (Sorloth 84') - Portu (Januzaj 62'), Isak (Djouahra 90'), Oyarzabal (c)
Subs: Alex Remiro, Gorosabel, Pacheco, Guevara, Guridi, Illarramendi, Lobete, Martin
Out: Barrenetxea (thigh), Fernandez (knee), Monreal (knee), Merino (knock)
Coach: Imanol Alguacil

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol - Klostermann, Laimer (Haidara 65'), Kampl (Adams 90'), Henrichs (Angelino 65') - Olmo (Poulsen 79') - Nkunku, Silva (Forsberg 65')
Subs: Martinez, Tschauner, Halstenberg, Mukiele, Raebiger, Szoboszlai, Novoa,
Out: -
Coach: Domenico Tedesco

As it happened ...