Heart of Midlothian have exited the Women’s Europa Cup after Real Sociedad won the second leg of their second qualifying round tie 4-0 in San Sebastian. The first leg in Edinburgh had finished goalless, meaning Real advanced 4-0 on aggregate.
Real Sociedad had all the pressure and took the lead after 18 minutes when winger Laura Camino headed Ainhoa Marin’s cross inside the far post from 12 yards. Hearts, the Scottish champions, rarely threatened to break their duck.
Hearts’ hopes of reaching the break level ended five minutes before half time. Erin Rennie pulled down Real midfielder Intza Egiguren, and Paula Fernandez converted the resulting penalty. The hosts added to their lead four minutes later when Cecilia Marcos’ low cross was prodded home from close range by fellow midfielder Ainoa Campo.
Torrential rain then stemmed the home flow, and Hearts managed a first effort on goal in the 55th minute when Lauren Wade fired a free-kick straight at the Real goalkeeper. Real completed the scoring when Marin prodded in the fourth goal after 76 minutes. Marin had also set up the opener, rounding off a strong individual performance.