Real Sociedad earned a dramatic 3-2 victory over Athletic Club in one of the wildest Basque derbies ever, sealed by Jon Gorrotxategi’s stoppage-time strike — the first winner in added time in the rivalry’s 178 meetings.
The match at a rain-soaked Reale Arena had everything: five goals, local heroes, chaos, and raw emotion. Sociedad’s academy graduate Gorrotxategi — playing in his first derby — scuffed an initial shot before thundering the rebound home from close range in the 92nd minute, sparking bedlam among the 37,000 fans. “I hit it with all my soul,” he said afterwards.
Earlier, Ander Barrenetxea had opened the scoring just seconds after returning injured to the pitch, setting up Brais Méndez despite barely being able to walk. Athletic twice fought back through Gorka Guruzeta and former Sociedad player Robert Navarro, while Gonçalo Guedes produced a fine strike for Sociedad’s second.
The late winner released huge pressure on new coach Sergi Francisco, whose side had won just once in nine weeks. After the final whistle, the players lined up to sing with their supporters, completing a perfect Basque derby day.
As El Diario Vasco summed up: “There is no better feeling than beating your eternal rival in stoppage time.”
