In one of the most dramatic Basque derbies ever played, Real Sociedad beat Athletic Club 3-2 thanks to Jon Gorrotxategi’s stoppage-time strike — their first-ever derby winner in added time.
The game at a rain-soaked Reale Arena had everything: five goals, relentless energy, and local pride. Gorrotxategi, a Real academy graduate from the border of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, scuffed his first attempt before blasting in the rebound from close range to spark wild celebrations among players and fans.
“It’s a dream — I hit it with all my soul,” Gorrotxategi said. “This goal belongs to the fans. Something has clicked — we’re alive again.”
Earlier, Ander Barrenetxea set the tone with a remarkable assist. Injured and barely able to walk, he returned to the pitch for seconds, crossed for Brais Méndez to open the scoring, and was immediately substituted.
Athletic twice fought back through Gorka Guruzeta and Robert Navarro, either side of a fine Gonçalo Guedes goal for Sociedad, before Gorrotxategi’s late strike sealed the win.
The result eased pressure on new coach Sergi Francisco after a difficult run, lifting Real Sociedad away from the relegation zone. “It outdid all expectations,” he said. “If we could have written it, it would have looked just like this.”
