Sociedad claims fiery Basque derby with dramatic winner
Real Sociedad edged out a dramatic 3-2 win over Athletic Club in LaLiga's Basque derby, courtesy of a brilliant 92nd-minute strike from Jon Gorrotxategi.
La Real took the lead at Anoeta in the 38th minute, as Ander Barrenetxea’s low cross was parried by Unai Simon and fell to Brais Mendez, who tucked home from point-blank range.
But the hosts’ lead did not last long as Gorka Guruzeta bundled home at the other end just four minutes later to level the scores going into the break.
Goncalo Guedes then restored La Real’s lead two minutes into the second half with a lovely touch-and-finish with the outside of his boot.
Roberto Navarro thought he had rescued a vital point for Athletic in the 79th minute as he tapped home the rebound after Yuri Berchiche’s header was parried on to the crossbar, but it wasn’t to be thanks to Gorrotxategi’s late heroics.
Real Sociedad fluffed two shots off a corner in stoppage-time before the ball landed kindly for Gorrotxategi, who drilled a powerful shot into the roof of the net from inside the box to seal a derby win for the hosts.
The win, which ended a three-match losing streak against Athletic, moved Real Sociedad up to 13th place on the table, while Athletic remains in 10th, stuck in the mid-table logjam.
