Real Sociedad beats Elche 2-0 in Spanish league

<p>MADRID &mdash; Real Sociedad strengthened its hold on a Europa League spot after topping 10-man Elche 2-0 in the Spanish league on Friday.</p>
<p>Aritz Elustondo put the hosts ahead in the 72nd minute and Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the victory in stoppage time to increase Sociedad’s advantage in fifth place.</p>
<p>The Basque Country team opened a four-point gap to sixth-placed Villarreal and has a five-point lead over seventh-placed Real Betis. Villarreal hosts Celta Vigo on Sunday, while Betis hosts Granada on Monday.</p>
<p>Elche played a man down from the 11th minute when Raúl Guti was sent off with a straight red card determined by video review for a hard foul on an opponent.</p>
<p>The loss left Elche closer to relegation. It stayed second-to-last in the 20-team standings. </p>
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