Real Sociedad won the Basque classic and shouted champion of the Copa del Rey in a historic final

04/03/2021 19:39

• Clarín.com

• sports

Updated 04/03/2021 19:39

Thirty-four years have passed since June 27, 1987, when Luis Miguel Arconada - a symbol and legend in the club - raised in Zaragoza what until this Saturday was the last trophy that shone in the windows of the Real Sociedad.

The wait was worth it.

Because the award comes with an unforgettable yapa.

The celebration is a classic that will last a lifetime.

The traditional Basque derby dressed up for the postponed final of the Copa del Rey 2019/2020 and the one that bathed in glory was Real Sociedad, which beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 and unleashed its eternal party.

There are celebrations in the streets of San Sebastián.

There is an overflow in the Old Town where thousands of fans gathered to follow the final and together appeased the uneasiness of not being able to be on the field due to the restrictions due to the re-outbreak of coronavirus cases in the area and in much of Europe.

In the celebrations there is no protocol that is worth.

Flags, chants, euphoria.

Similar scenes took place in the vicinity of San Mamés, where Athletic fans gathered and staged excesses and clashes with the Police who were trying to disperse them. 

The final whistle that unleashes the Real Sociedad party.

EFE / Julio Muñoz

On the court, in Seville, the party was blue and white. 

Now it is Asier Illarramendi the captain who raises the trophy before the empty stands of the Cartuja stadium in Seville.

A centenary club that knew how to rub shoulders with the greats in the 80s but that since then had fallen into a long slide that on top of it had several achievements of its classic rival.

With tears in his eyes, Oyarzábal, author of the penalty goal, dedicates the Cup to all the fans who could not go but who are celebrating, despite the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, in San Sebastián.

"Giving this to all of them is the best we could do," says the captain.

"This is for everyone, for my family, for my friends, for all the realzales. I love you all very much, we are champions and we are going to celebrate it one day all together without any doubt," he continued.

🏆 CUP CHAMPIONS!

AUPA REAL !!!

💙💙💙 # Gurekin |

#AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/RRgFS7aMEO

- Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) April 3, 2021

The game was played with more nerves than football, according to the framework: a historic derby and a final that would mark their destiny.

The two teams carried out a very cautious procedure under the Sevillian rain until the goal in the second half broke the monotony.

In the first half, Real Sociedad hardly disturbed the area defended by Unai Simón, while Athletic, more vertical, was about to surprise Álex Remiro, who took a strong shot from Íñigo Martínez when at 32 minutes he had the first action risky.

A crowd of Real Sociedad fans gathered in the Old Town of San Sebastián to watch the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao in Seville.

EFE / Juan Herrero

In addition, the game found its hinge when Íñigo Martínez knocked down Portu in the area.

And Oyarzábal converted the penalty to 1-0 at 18 minutes.

At a disadvantage, Athletic had no alternative but to go out and seek a draw, but they found a Real Sociedad that retracted lines and was very solid in defense to sustain the victory and hold on to the championship.

🗣 "ILLARRAMENDI LOLOLOLOLOLOLO ..." 💙⚪️ # Gurekin |

#AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/eRc4PlkcL1

- Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) April 3, 2021

The bitter taste of Athletic, who has 23 titles in the tournament, could find consolation in a prompt rematch since on the 17th of this month they will collide with Barcelona in the final of the 2020/21 edition.