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Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad, who scored the winning goal, holds the cup as he celebrates with his teammates after winning the 2020 Copa del Rey final.
After being forced by the pandemic to wait a year to play its most anticipated match in a generation, Real Sociedad can now celebrate being the Copa del Rey champion.
Even if the next final is only two weeks away.
The Society ended a three-decade title drought on Saturday when they beat fierce Basque rival Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the delayed 2020 Cup final in Seville. Bilbao will have another chance in just two weeks when they face Barcelona in the 2021 edition of the Copa del Rey final.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the only goal in an intense and frenzied match dominated by the defense. The Spanish forward scored his penalty in the right corner in the 63rd minute after Iñigo Martínez fouled in the Portu Portugués area after a precise pass from Mikel Merino.
The match had been postponed since the end of last season in hopes that the coronavirus pandemic would improve enough to allow fans to attend the long-awaited clash between the two regional rivals.
But with the coronavirus still imposing strict limits on social gatherings in Spain, authorities said it was impossible for spectators to enter Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium.
The impact of the virus, which has claimed more than 75,000 lives in Spain, was evident even at the celebrations.
“There are many people with whom we would have liked to share this, family and friends who have left us in the worst possible way,” said Oyarzabal with tears in his eyes.
The Society, based in San Sebastián, had only won the Copa del Rey twice before in its history, in 1909 and in 1987, its last great trophy.
The Society’s technician, Imanol Alguacil, dedicated his great night to those who fight against the pandemic.
“Thanks to the health workers, to those who are saving lives,” said Alguacil. “I thought of them after our victory. I dedicate this cup to you. “
Bilbao, whose 23 cup titles are second to Barcelona’s record of 30, has now lost the cup final four times since last winning the competition in 1984.
“This is a hard blow,” said Bilbao defender Oscar de Marcos. “It is true that we have another final in 15 days, but losing a final always hurts. We miss our fans, who are with us through good times and bad times. “
Before the match, several thousand Bilbao fans violated current public health restrictions for the coronavirus when they gathered in loud and tight groups in the center of the city of Bilbao. At least one garbage container was on fire near a crowd, mostly young people, many dressed in red and white Bilbao T-shirts.
Bilbao police pleaded on social media for the crowd to go home. The city mayor also criticized the meetings.
“Some crazy people are causing incidents before the final. And the families that suffer from COVID and cannot enjoy this historic day? They do not represent the values of Athletic or our city, ”Mayor Juan Mari Aburto wrote on Twitter.
Except for the play that was the goal of Oyarzabal, it was a game that was dictated by the two defenders.
Society center-back Robin Le Normand annulled Bilbao striker Iñaki Williams, while Martínez de Bilbao had Bilbao’s best goal chance when his long shot forced goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro to shoot the ball over the crossbar shortly after half an hour.
Merino helped tip the game in favor of the Society with a perfectly weighted pass.
Merino’s long pass to meet Portu in the area left Martinez with the option of letting the striker free to measure goalkeeper Unai Simón, or knock him down. Martínez opted for the foul and barely escaped expulsion.
The referee initially showed Martínez a red card but, after a video review, changed it to a yellow card and allowed the center-back to stay in the game.
But once the Society got ahead of itself, it never let Bilbao ride again.
“I was proud of my players before the game and I still am,” said coach Marcelino García Toral, who led Bilbao to the Spanish Super Cup in January by beating Barcelona in the final.
“I am sad because we were not ourselves. We have to congratulate Real Sociedad and calmly analyze what we have to improve ”.
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