In a fiercely contested Basque derby on Wednesday, Real Sociedad clinched their place in the Copa del Rey final by edging out their regional rivals Athletic Bilbao with a narrow 1-0 victory. The decisive moment came late in the match when Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted a penalty, sealing a 2-0 aggregate win over Athletic in the semi-finals. This victory marks a significant milestone for Real Sociedad, who will now prepare to face Atletico Madrid in the eagerly awaited final scheduled for April 18 in Seville.
The turnaround in Real Sociedad’s fortunes can largely be attributed to the arrival of American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo in December. Since taking charge, Matarazzo has instilled a renewed sense of discipline and tactical acumen in the squad, guiding them through a challenging fixture list with impressive resilience. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming La Real’s performances, culminating in this hard-fought progression to the final after overcoming a formidable Athletic Bilbao side that boasts 24 Copa del Rey titles.
Real Sociedad entered the second leg at their home ground, the Reale Arena, with a slender 1-0 advantage secured in the first leg at Athletic’s iconic San Mamés stadium. Throughout the match, they maintained a solid defensive structure and controlled the tempo effectively, rarely allowing Athletic to threaten their lead. Defender Jon Martin reflected on the team’s approach, emphasizing how the initial goal advantage allowed them to manage the game carefully and avoid unnecessary risks.
The first half was marked by cautious play from both sides, with Real Sociedad enjoying more possession and creating the better chances. Carlos Soler came closest to breaking the deadlock early on with a curling free-kick that forced Athletic’s goalkeeper Alex Padilla into a spectacular save. Despite this pressure, Real Sociedad struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities, with Athletic’s defense, led by Aitor Paredes, making crucial interventions to keep the visitors at bay. Meanwhile, Goncalo Guedes also tested the opposition with a shot that narrowly missed the target.
As the second half unfolded, Athletic Bilbao, under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, began to raise their intensity and posed more threats going forward. Alejandro Berenguer and Inaki Williams combined well to create chances, although they failed to find the back of the net. The absence of Nico Williams, sidelined indefinitely due to a groin injury, was felt keenly by Athletic, as his pace and creativity were missed in the attacking third.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 87th minute when Athletic’s Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta was penalized for pulling the shirt of Yangel Herrera inside the penalty area. After a thorough review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the referee awarded a penalty to Real Sociedad. Oyarzabal stepped up confidently and sent Padilla the wrong way, securing the crucial goal that ultimately decided the tie. Despite Athletic’s desperate attempts to equalize in stoppage time, including a close-range effort from Mikel Vesga that was brilliantly saved by Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper Unai Marrero, the home side held firm.
Reflecting on the match, Valverde acknowledged the intensity of the Basque derby and lamented the missed opportunity to turn the game around in the final moments. Meanwhile, Athletic striker Inaki Williams expressed his frustration over the penalty decision, noting that such shirt-pulling incidents are common in crowded penalty areas and difficult to adjudicate consistently. On the other hand, Real Sociedad’s Icelandic forward Orri Oskarsson came agonizingly close to extending the lead in the dying moments when his header struck the post, but the result was already beyond doubt.
This victory continues Real Sociedad’s impressive home record against Athletic Bilbao, as they have now remained unbeaten in their last ten derby matches at the Reale Arena. Their last triumph over Athletic in a Copa del Rey final came in 2020, a memory that surely inspires the current squad as they set their sights on lifting the trophy once again. With the final against Atletico Madrid looming, Real Sociedad will be eager to maintain their momentum and add another prestigious title to their history.
