In a chaotic and rain-soaked Basque derby, Real Sociedad earned a vital 3–2 victory over Athletic Club thanks to Jon Gorrotxategi’s stoppage-time winner — the first late goal ever to decide this historic rivalry.
The match had everything: passion, heavy tackles, and five goals that captured the intensity of one of Spain’s fiercest but most respectful derbies. Gorrotxategi, a Real academy graduate from the border region of Gipuzkoa, became the unlikely hero when his scuffed first shot rebounded to him and he smashed the rebound home from close range in the 92nd minute.
The game’s drama began much earlier when Ander Barrenetxea, injured and barely able to walk, returned to the field for eight seconds — just long enough to set up Brais Méndez for the opener. Athletic equalised through Gorka Guruzeta before Gonçalo Guedes restored Sociedad’s lead with a curling strike after half-time. Robert Navarro bundled in another scrappy goal to make it 2–2, setting up the late chaos.
As Gorrotxategi’s winner ripped into the net, fireworks erupted over the Bay of Biscay — a local tradition to announce Real Sociedad goals. The Reale Arena exploded in celebration as the players sang with their fans after the final whistle.
For new coach Sergi Francisco, it was a much-needed win after a rough spell that had dragged the team toward the relegation zone. “If we could have written it,” he said, “it would have been something like this.”
Local paper Noticias de Gipuzkoa summed up the feeling: “La Real are alive. They have soul. They love their people. And once in a while, they make them happy like they did tonight.”
