Real Sociedad Defeat Bilbao to Face Atletico Madrid in Copa del Rey Final
Real Sociedad secured a place in the Copa del Rey final by defeating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in a closely contested semi-final match. This victory, which took place on March 4, 2026, at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, resulted in a 2-0 aggregate win for La Real.
Key Match Details
The decisive moment of the match came in the 87th minute. Captain Mikel Oyarzabal scored the only goal via a penalty kick. This penalty was awarded after referee Cesar Soto Grado reviewed a foul by Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who grabbed Yangel Herrera’s shirt during a corner kick. Oyarzabal confidently placed the shot to the left of the diving goalkeeper, sealing the match for his team.
Match Statistics
- Total Shots on Target: 4
- Possession: Dominated by Real Sociedad
- Key Player: Mikel Oyarzabal
Athletic Bilbao’s Challenge
Athletic Bilbao faced challenges throughout the match, particularly without their injured winger, Nico Williams. They struggled to create significant threats against Real Sociedad and only mounted some late attempts as time ran out.
Final Matchup Against Atletico Madrid
The Copa del Rey final is set to take place on April 18, 2026, at La Cartuja stadium in Seville. This will be the second meeting in a Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid. The two teams previously faced off in 1987, where Real Sociedad triumphed after a tense penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. Real Sociedad also claimed the title again in 2020. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid last lifted the trophy in 2013, marking their 10th title win.
The anticipation builds as the final date approaches, with both teams looking to add another Copa del Rey title to their histories.
