Real Sociedad and Athletic Club de Bilbao had to wait almost a year to play the 2020 Copa del Rey Final. The two teams had set up a Basque derby finale the previous year, which was postponed following the coronavirus outbreak. The teams finally played out their tie, with Real Sociedad emerging victorious.
Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad beat Athletic Club de Bilbao to win the 2020 Copa del Rey Final. La Real registered a narrow 1-0 over their Basque rivals, courtesy of a penalty from the vice-captain, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Oyarzabal, overcome with emotions following the win, dedicated the win to the fans, who were barred from entering the stadium due to Covid restrictions.
It’s an incredible day,
the Spaniard said.
You remember everybody, all the people who would have loved to be here, people who have left us. This is for everyone, my family, my friends. It means everything.
The match was a cagey affair, with neither side seizing the initiative. La Real did dominate possession but rarely tested Unai Simon in the Athletic goal. However, the decisive moment came just past the hour mark, when Portu was tripped in the box by former Real Sociedad star, Inigo Martinez. The defender – who joined rivals Athletic Club in 2018 – was initially shown the red card by the referee, which was later rescinded by the VAR.
Nevertheless, Oyarzabal stepped up to take the penalty and scored. La Real defended the lead for the remainder of the match to lift the third Copa in their history. Athletic Club, meanwhile, registered the unwanted record of losing all of their last five cup finals. Marcelino’s men – who have already won the Supercopa Espana this season – will face Barcelona in two weeks to play the 2021 Copa final.
Meanwhile, the two Basque giants have struggled in the league this season. Despite starting the season brightly, Real Sociedad have slipped down to sixth and were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League by Manchester United. Athletic have fared worse and are ninth in La Liga – ten points behind their regional rivals.
