A non-existent penalty condemns Real

Real Sociedad did not deserve to lose at San Mamés tonight. If they did, it was because of a penalty that should never have been awarded. The referee saw something that simply did not happen, while VAR, which on other occasions intervenes over the most trivial incidents, chose not to get involved. It was an unjust defeat that leaves a bitter sense of anger over what happened in Bilbao.

As usual, the hosts made a strong start and created a couple of clear chances to take the lead. They eventually broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, when Iñaki Williams chipped Remiro. La Real, who had struggled initially, gradually grew into the game and equalised on the half-hour mark with a precise left-footed strike from Sučić. From then on, Matarazzo's side were on top, and Barrene came agonisingly close to putting them ahead, only for Unai Simón to keep out his effort by the narrowest of margins. Just as the match seemed set to reach half-time level, an incomprehensible decision changed everything: the referee awarded a penalty for an alleged foul by Aramburu on Nico that simply never happened. VAR did not intervene either. Even the chip inside the ball shows that Aramburu got a touch on it. Unbelievable.

La Real's dominance was even more pronounced after the break. The txuri-urdin spent virtually the entire second half in the opposition half and deserved a much better outcome. Soler tested the home goalkeeper with a powerful effort from the edge of the box, forcing him into a full-stretch save. The midfielder then failed to make proper contact with another promising opportunity following a delivery from Óskarsson. Despite pushing until the final whistle, the Donostia side could not find an equaliser.

La Real leave San Mamés empty-handed, despite doing more than enough to take something from the game. They were ultimately punished by a decision that was unfair by any measure. There is plenty of anger tonight. Sometimes, that's football.

Match details:

Athletic Club: Unai Simón, Rincón, Vivian, Laporte, Yuri (Yeray, 89'), Gerenabarrena, Canales (Prados, 77'), Berenguer, Iñaki Williams (capt.), Nico and Marouan (Navarro, 5'; Johaneko, 89').

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu (Fort, 89'), Martín, Sarr, Sergio Gómez, Gorrotxa (Turrientes, 75'), Soler, Sučić (Take, 75'), Barrene (Óskarsson, 62'), Guedes (Ochieng, 89') and Oyarzabal (capt.).

Goals: 1-0: Iñaki Williams, 14'. 1-1: Sučić, 30'. 2-1: Berenguer (pen.), 47'.

Referee: Alejandro Hernández. Booked Iñaki Williams and Rincón for Athletic Club, and Oyarzabal, Sarr and Aramburu for Real Sociedad.