Real Sociedad beat Athletic Bilbao to win delayed 2020 Copa del Rey final

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Real Sociedad won their first major trophy since 1987 as they beat local rivals Athletic Bilbao in last season’s rescheduled Copa del Rey final. 

Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty shortly after the hour-mark proved the only goal of the game after Inigo Martinez had felled Portu. 

Martinez, a boyhood Sociedad player who left for their rivals for 32 million euros ($37.64 million) in a controversial transfer in 2018, was initially shown a red card for the foul but the referee downgraded the punishment to a yellow card after a VAR review.

Sociedad dominated possession and Athletic failed to test their opponents on the counter-attack, still offering little in attack even as they chased the game deep into the second half.

The match was postponed by a year at the request of both clubs to ensure fans could attend but continued coronavirus restrictions in Spain meant the showpiece in Seville’s La Cartuja stadium took place without any supporters.

Athletic have now lost their last five Copa finals but have another shot at the trophy when they play Barcelona in this season’s showpiece back at La Cartuja on April 17.

Additional reporting by Reuters. 

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