Japanese attackers Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamata saw their Champions League activities end after Real Sociedad and Lazio were eliminated in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Kubo played the full 90 minutes as Sociedad's right winger, aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the first leg against visiting Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo (left) dribbles the ball during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain at Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain on March 5, 2024. (Kyodo News)
However, the French champions were once again too strong and won 2-1, giving them a 4-1 aggregate victory over the Spanish side.
Kylian Mbappé scored the opening goal 15 minutes into the match at the Reale Arena, evading two defenders in the box and bringing the ball home.
Kubo came close to an answer just before half-time, with a fierce drive from distance that narrowly missed the far post.
Mbappe extended the lead to two points with a counterattack in the 56th minute, before Mikel Merino scored a consolation goal for Sociedad in the dying minutes.
Lazio, on the other hand, were unable to capitalize on their 1-0 first leg win at home, and that night Italy lost 3-0 away to German giants Bayern Munich, 3-1 on aggregate.
Headers from Harry Kane and Thomas Müller put Bayern back in the game late in the first half, with Kane scoring his second goal in the 66th minute at the Allianz Arena.
Daichi Kamata (left) of Lazio competes for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 match against Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena Arena in Munich, Germany on March 5, 2024. (Kyodo News)
Kamata, who was not used much by manager Maurizio Sarri in his first season at Lazio, came on with 10 minutes remaining, but the results fell short.
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