Aberdeen fell at the final hurdle against Spanish side Real Sociedad, after two late goals sent them out of the Europa League in a 5-2 aggregate defeat.
As with the first leg, the Dons started the game brightly, although there were no clear-cut chances very early on. Despite Sociedad winning a corner after just 20 seconds, any danger that arose was quickly abolished by the Aberdeen defence. An early spot was Aberdeen's efficient counter-attacking and ability to close down the Sociedad players on the ball, Derek McInnes' side showing that they had learned from some of their mistakes in the first leg.
After Aberdeen won a costless kick close to the Sociedad box, it gave them the perfect opportunity to try out of their training ground set-piece moves. The costless kick was passed into open space just inside the Sociedad box, and despite not being closed down by the defence, Jonny Hayes fluffed the chance and ball was quickly cleared.
Chances started to come thick and fast as the half wore on, with Sociedad's first clear chance falling to Alfreð Finnbogason. Aberdeen failed to clear the ball out of their box on several occasions, allowing Finnbogason to slot home, though the Icelandic striker was unable to score his first competitive goal for La Real.
Minutes later, Niall McGinn spotted goalkeeper Eñaut Zubikarai a few yards off his line and attempted to chip him, sending the ball just wide of the post. The ball was in the net a few minutes after, Ryan Jack heading in a corner, though he and two other team-mates were judged to be offside.
The Dons were made to pay for their inability to take their chances in the first half. After a couple of chances were blocked by Aberdeen defender Shaleum Logan, Sociedad captain Xabi Prieto flicked home a corner over Jamie Langfield to put the Spanish side 3-0 up on aggregate.
David Zurutuza, who was a risk for the game after suffering concussion in Sociedad's 3-1 defeat to Alavés at the weekend, was substituted before half-time after a strong challenge. He was replaced by Esteban Granero, who is yet to start a game for his new club, after signing on a permanent deal from QPR several weeks ago.
Aberdeen managed to grab a goal on the stroke of half-time through Paul Pawlett. Aberdeen's original shot was blocked off the line, before Pawlett tapped the ball into an unguarded net to level the scores on the night and leave Aberdeen in with a chance of qualifying, despite needing three more goals without reply to advance.
Half-time: Aberdeen (1) 1 - 1 (3) Real Sociedad
Aberdeen continued to impress at the start of the second half. Jonny Hayes made a run into the box and was felled by Joseba Zaldua, and no penalty was given. However, Hayes took matters into his own hands and hacked down Zaldua to get his revenge, a foul which was greeted with a yellow card from referee Eitan Shmuelevitz.
If the 20,000 fans in the sell-out crowd at Pittodrie weren't loud enough during the game, the stadium erupted with cheers as Aberdeen put themselves into a controlling position in the game. Mark Reynolds met Niall McGinn's cross to put Aberdeen 2-1 up, needing two more goals to send their side through to the play-offs.
After a disappointing 57 minutes, Finnbogason was substituted for Imanol Agirretxe in a straight positional swap. Agirretxe almost made an immediate impact after coming on, with his shot being comfortably saved by Langfield in the Aberdeen goal.
Sergio Canales, who swung the pendulum in Sociedad's favour last week, was then introduced into the game to try and give La Real some spark to get back into the game, and could've had two goals, though his shots dragged wide of either post.
Aberdeen's players began to tire as the game wore on, and they were punished by Alberto de la Bella, his mazy run saw him dragged down in the box by Shaleum Logan, a foul which ultimately ended any chance of Aberdeen completing the comeback. Xabi Prieto calmly sent the penalty past Langfield for his second of the game.
In the final minute, Sociedad finally pushed their way past Aberdeen and broke their resilience which had saw them on top of the Spanish side for so long. Sergio Canales' cross was met by midfielder Markel, who looped the ball over Jamie Langfield and succumbed Aberdeen to defeat on the night and on aggregate.
Full-time: Aberdeen (2) 2 - 3 (5) Real Sociedad
Aberdeen are out of the Europa League, whilst Sociedad enter the play-off draw on Friday. Sociedad are one of 31 seeded teams in the draw, and their La Liga rivals Vilarreal enter the draw as well. Aberdeen are the second Scottish team to exit in this round, as St. Johnstone lost 3-2 on aggregate to Spartak Trnava.