Real Sociedad Books Copa del Rey Final Spot with Derby Dominance

Real Sociedad 1-0 Athletic Club (2-0 on aggregate)

Real Sociedad has secured its place in the 2025-26 Copa del Rey final, overcoming bitter rivals Athletic Club in the second leg of their semi-final clash at Anoeta.

Pellegrini Matarazzo’s side had already won 1-0 at San Mames three weeks prior, meaning they only needed to avoid defeat to clinch their ticket to La Cartuja. However, they could have jeopardized this advantage early on, as Athletic started with significant pressure, though they failed to convert their intensity into goals.

La Real gradually found their rhythm in the first half and created the better scoring opportunities. Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes both came close, but Athletic's stand-in goalkeeper Alex Padilla was rarely truly tested.

Athletic again started the second half on the front foot, yet a blocked shot from Iñaki Williams and a header from Alex Berenguer were all they could manage. Real Sociedad effectively managed the game, and with just three minutes remaining in normal time, they broke the deadlock in the second leg.

Athletic midfielder Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta was deemed to have pulled down Yangel Herrera inside the penalty area. The incident was caught by VAR after being initially missed by on-field referee César Soto Grado. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up to calmly convert the penalty, scoring the game's only goal and sending the home crowd at Anoeta into raptures.

La Real to Face Atletico Madrid in the Showpiece Final

Real Sociedad will now aim to lift the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2020, when they defeated Athletic in the final. This time, they will challenge Atletico Madrid, who survived a fierce onslaught from Barcelona on Tuesday to secure their own spot in the final at La Cartuja.