Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Real Sociedad advance to Copa del Rey final with 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Real Sociedad sealed a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, booking their place in the Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid after a 2-0 aggregate win in the semi-finals over their Basque rivals.
Captain Mikel Oyarzabal settled the tight contest at Anoeta Stadium with a penalty in the 87th minute, awarded after referee Cesar Soto Grado reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
The spot-kick came against Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta for pulling the shirt of Janiel Herrera, with Oyarzabal coolly slotting it into the left corner while Bilbao's keeper dived the opposite way.
Sociedad dominated possession for much of the match but struggled to create clear chances, managing just four shots on target.
Athletic, missing injured winger Nico Williams, posed little threat to the hosts until a futile late push in the second half once their defeat was confirmed.
The final will take place at Sevilla's stadium on April 18, pitting Sociedad against Atletico for the second time— the Basque side won their previous encounter on penalties in 1987 after extra time ended 2-2, and lifted the trophy again in 2020.
Atletico have won the cup 10 times, most recently in 2013.
