The Reale Arena has erupted! On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Real Sociedad secured their place in the Copa del Rey final with a dramatic 1–0 victory over Basque rivals Athletic Club.
The win completes a 2–0 aggregate triumph for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side, who will now face Atletico Madrid in the grand finale in Seville on April 18. In a cagey, high-tension derby, it was the captain, Mikel Oyarzabal, who proved to be the hero once again.
The Match Timeline: A Tactical Chess Match
13',Huge Save! 🧤,Alex Padilla tips a goal-bound Carlos Soler free-kick over the bar.
36',Golden Chance ❌,Carlos Soler miscues a finish from six yards out after great work by Gonçalo Guedes.
83',VAR Check 🖥️,Referee Cesar Soto Grado is called to the monitor for a shirt-pull on Yangel Herrera.
87',GOAL! ⚽️,Mikel Oyarzabal coolly slots home the penalty to send the home fans into delirium.
90+2',The Final Stand 🧱,Unai Marrero makes a sprawling leg save to deny Mikel Vesga's late equalizer.
Key Takeaways: Matarazzo’s Masterpiece
The Oyarzabal Factor: The skipper didn't just score the winner; he led the game in successful dribbles (3) and provided the composure needed in a match where xG was low (1.54 vs 0.47).
The "Anoeta" Curse: Athletic Club have now failed to win in their last 10 visits to Real Sociedad's home. The absence of the injured Nico Williams was felt deeply, as the Lions struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Matarazzo’s Magic: Since taking over in December, Pellegrino Matarazzo has transformed La Real. Reaching a major final within three months of his arrival is being hailed as "nothing short of a miracle" by the Spanish press.
The Seville Final: Real Sociedad will meet Atletico Madrid (who ousted Barcelona) in the final. It's a repeat of their recent tactical battles, and La Real will be dreaming of their first major silverware since 2020.
The Verdict: Real Sociedad were the better team over 180 minutes. They managed the tempo, limited Athletic's threat, and took their chance when it came. Matarazzo has brought a pragmatic edge to La Real that makes them a terrifying prospect for Atletico in the final.