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It was very close. Despite executing their game plan perfectly, it wasn't possible. The txuri urdin fought hard to push the match into extra time but ultimately lost with great dignity at the Bernabéu. With just ten minutes remaining, they even had a ticket to Seville within their grasp. The team's effort tonight is a source of immense pride. We deserve a final with fans, and we will return for it.
Real Sociedad approached the match well and wanted to control the ball from the start. The Merengues, however, quickly created the first two opportunities, one coming from a bicycle kick by Endrick and another from Vinicius. The realistas had their first chance with a long-range strike from Sučić that went just wide. After fifteen minutes, in a well-executed attack, the txuri-urdin equalized the tie with a goal from Barrene, who beat Lunin with a low shot. The whites reacted and leveled the match with a goal from Endrick, again on the counterattack.
Like at the beginning of the match, Imanol's team returned well after the halftime break, remaining engaged in the tie, always with the feeling that they could equalize again. Zubimendi nearly made it 2-1 with a corner kick shot that Lunin managed to deflect, and Oyarzabal failed to convert the follow-up with his right foot. However, shortly after, the second goal arrived. Following a long build-up, Marín reached the goal line, and Alaba accidentally put the ball into his own net from Marín’s cross. With just over a quarter of an hour left, the tie was level again. Real Sociedad continued to play with confidence and determination, and ten minutes from the end, Oyarzabal scored a third goal with a shot that deflected off Alaba and into Lunin's net. Yet, in the next play, without time to celebrate, Bellingham scored to equalize once more. Just five minutes later, Tchouameni scored from a corner kick, putting the home side back in front. When it seemed all was lost, from a lateral free kick, following Sergio Gómez's strike, a header from Oyarzabal equalized the match again, sending the game to extra time.
In extra time, Real players showed signs of fatigue, but they remained compact at the back until, with five minutes left before penalties, Rudiger scored with a header from a corner kick.
Real Sociedad put on an impressive performance, doing everything needed to secure a place in the final, even coming close with just ten minutes left in regulation. However, Real Madrid, as is typical in their stadium, showcased their finishing prowess in the final minutes. The team stands on the verge of the final with their heads held high.
Match details:
Real Madrid: Lunin, Lucas (cap)(Modric, min.79), Asencio (Brahim, min.106), Alaba (Fran García, min.91), Camavinga (Rudiger, min.91), Valverde, Tchouameni, Rodrygo (Guler, min.106), Vinicius, Bellingham and Endrick (Mbappé, min.66).
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu (Traoré, min.79), Zubeldia, Aguerd (Aritz, min.27), Aihen, Zubimendi, Marín (Olasagasti, min.91), Sučić, Barrene (Sergio Gómez, min.68), Take and Oyarzabal (Óskarsson, min.106).
Goals: 0-1: Barrene, min.16. 1-1: Endrick, min.30. 1-2: Alaba (p.p.), min.72. 1-3: Oyarzabal, min.80. 2-3: Bellingham, min.81. 3-3: Tchouameni, min.86. 3-4: Oyarzabal, min.93. 4-4: Rudiger, min.115.
Referee: Alberola Rojas. Booked Camavinga for Real Madrid and Aramburu and Olasagasti for Real Sociedad.