Athletic Club - Real Sociedad

Athletic Club were defeated 0-1 by Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey 2019-20 final at La Cartuja.

In a tightly-contested affair with few chances, la Real were able to take the lead in the 62nd minute via a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty.

The Lions have another chance to lift the trophy in two weeks time when they take on FC Barcelona at the same stadium.

As if some kind of curse that forced the final to be postponed for a year because of the pandemic was still in place, the match kicked off under a torrential rainstorm more typical of a Basque derby in Bilbao than an April night in Seville. 

From the start, it was clear that the game was going to be very tactical. As is typical in finals, the fear of making a fatal mistake took hold.

Raúl García had Athletic’s first chance before la Real started to see more of the ball thanks to David Silva.

However, it was Marcelino’s team that went closest to scoring before the break. Iñaki Muniain troubled Alex Remiro with a header and a great right-footed shot from Iñigo Martínez forced the keeper into a flying save.

It was clear whoever scored first was going to win the game and la Real took their chance. It occurred in a counter-attack with Estrada Fernández awarding a penalty for an Iñigo Martínez tackle on Portu.

At first the defender was shown a red card, but after a VAR review it was changed to a yellow. After the deliberation was over, Oyarzabal stepped up and converted the penalty.

The lions tried to recover. But Imanol Alguacil’s men gave Athletic no respite, never allowing the Rojiblancos to get going.

Athletic now need to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and go again for the final on the 17th against FC Barcelona.