Jon Gorrotxategi’s stoppage-time strike gave Real Sociedad a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Club in a rain-soaked Basque derby that had everything — five goals, chaos, and pure emotion.
The homegrown defender’s late winner came after a frantic exchange in the box, his first attempt scuffed before slamming home the rebound from close range. “I hit it with all my soul,” Gorrotxategi said after sealing a victory that lifted his team out of a difficult spell.
The game began with similar intensity. Real’s Ander Barrenetxea, injured minutes earlier, hobbled back onto the field and instantly created the opener, crossing for Brais Méndez to score. Athletic replied through Gorka Guruzeta, but Gonçalo Guedes restored La Real’s lead just after half-time.
With 11 minutes left, a scrappy finish from Robert Navarro, a former Real player, brought Athletic level again — until Gorrotxategi’s dramatic finish in added time sent the Reale Arena into rapture.
It was a cathartic win for new coach Sergi Francisco, whose side had been slipping toward the relegation zone. “If we could have written it, it would have been something like this,” he said afterward.
For Real Sociedad and their fans, this was more than a derby victory — it was a declaration that their spirit is alive and well.
