Turrientes Fires Real Sociedad to First-Leg Advantage Over Athletic in Copa del Rey Semi-Final

Beñat Turrientes struck the decisive goal as Real Sociedad secured a 1-0 victory over Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at San Mamés.

La Real, under the guidance of American head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions and produced an assured display to earn a deserved derby triumph on Wednesday evening.

The result gives Sociedad a slender but valuable advantage ahead of the return leg at the Reale Arena on 4 March. Meanwhile, holders Barcelona travel to Atlético Madrid on Thursday for the first leg of the other semi-final.

Sociedad Seize Control

Real Sociedad gradually asserted themselves during the first half and were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty before the interval when Aymeric Laporte appeared to handle Duje Ćaleta-Car’s header inside the area. The appeals were waved away, but the visitors continued to apply pressure.

After the break, Matarazzo’s side dominated proceedings. Pablo Marín struck the post from close range after Athletic goalkeeper Álex Padilla had parried an effort from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Portuguese winger Gonçalo Guedes, lively throughout, proved instrumental in the decisive moment. Driving through on goal, Guedes was brought down by Padilla, but the referee allowed play to continue as Turrientes latched onto the winger’s pass — released just before the collision — and calmly slotted into an unguarded net.

“It’s a good result to take into the second leg at home in front of our supporters,” Turrientes told Movistar.

“It’s perhaps less of a lead than it might have been, but it’s still a positive result.”

Athletic Second Best

Athletic, 24-time Copa del Rey winners — more than any side except Barcelona — struggled to find rhythm in front of their home crowd in what was an intense but ultimately frustrating derby encounter.

Spain international Nico Williams saw an effort blocked, while Iñaki Williams acknowledged that Sociedad had the upper hand after the interval.

“In the first half we were quite comfortable,” said Iñaki Williams. “Then in the second they were able to get at us.

“There’s still the second leg to go. A 1-0 deficit is not impossible to overturn — we’ll go for it.”

Real Sociedad, however, looked more likely to extend their advantage than concede an equaliser, underlining their strong recent form as they edge closer to a place in the Seville final.