Real Sociedad earned a desperately needed 3–2 victory over Athletic Club in one of the wildest Basque derbies in memory, sealed by Jon Gorrotxategi’s stoppage-time winner in torrential rain at the Reale Arena.
The academy product, playing in his first derby, scuffed an initial effort before blasting home from close range in the 92nd minute, sparking euphoric celebrations among players and fans alike. “I hit it with my soul,” Gorrotxategi said after the match.
The game had everything: five goals, relentless intensity, and local pride on full display. Real Sociedad opened through Brais Méndez after Ander Barrenetxea, injured moments earlier, limped back onto the pitch to assist the goal within seconds of returning. Gorka Guruzeta equalised for Athletic before Gonçalo Guedes restored the hosts’ lead with a fine strike early in the second half.
Robert Navarro bundled in a late leveller for Athletic, setting up a frenetic finale that ended with Gorrotxategi’s decisive strike — the first time in 178 Basque derbies that the winner had come in added time.
For new coach Sergi Francisco, it was a vital result after a poor run left his team sliding toward the bottom of La Liga. “If we could have written it, it would have been something like this,” he said.
The victory, their second in a row, lifted spirits in San Sebastián. As fireworks lit the night sky over the Bay of Biscay, players and fans sang together, celebrating a win that felt like much more than three points.
