Arsenal loanee secures Europa League football for his team | OneFootball

Kieran Tierney helped Real Sociedad to qualify for the Europa League on Sunday, as they defeated top-six rivals Real Betis.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan duels for the ball with Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Sociedad and FC Internazionale at Reale Arena on September 20, 2023. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Going into the final two games of the season, Real Sociedad had a one-point lead over Real Betis, with both teams competing for a sixth-place finish in La Liga and the Europa League qualification that comes with that position.

With Sociedad facing off against Betis on Sunday, both clubs had a chance to take control of the situation.

A win for Sociedad would secure Europa League football mathematically, a win for Betis would leave Sociedad needing to beat Atletico Madrid on the final day to reclaim their spot.

It was a huge game, and Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney was named in the starting lineup for the match.

BILBAO, SPAIN: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad is challenged by Nico Williams of Athletic Club during the LaLiga EA Sports match at Estadio de San Mames on January 13, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Tierney was making his second start in a few days, having also made an appearance in a win over Valencia on Thursday to guarantee European football of some description.

Tierney then played 67 minutes against Betis as his loan team took a 2-0 lead, and they saw out that result without him in the final 23 minutes to guarantee a sixth-place finish.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad battles for possession with Jesus Areso of CA Osasuna during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Tierney recently returned from an adductor injury, making a 20-minute appearance away to Barcelona last Monday.

That injury followed a hamstring injury in September, keeping him out until late November, and another hamstring setback in January, ruling him out for another month.

Since winning the Community Shield with Arsenal in August, Tierney has played 25 times for Real Sociedad. He’s generally been a starter when fit, but those injury problems have held him back.

Real Sociedad now just have that last game against Atletico Madrid to go, before Tierney’s focus will turn to the European Championships this summer.