Real Sociedad ended their poor run with a thrilling 3–2 victory over Athletic Club, clinched by Jon Gorrotxategi’s dramatic stoppage-time winner in San Sebastián.
The match, played in torrential rain, was a fierce, chaotic classic. Gorrotxategi — a homegrown player making his derby debut — smashed home the decisive goal in the 92nd minute, sparking wild celebrations at the Reale Arena.
Earlier, Brais Méndez had opened the scoring after Ander Barrenetxea returned to the pitch injured to deliver a cross, while Gonçalo Guedes and Robert Navarro traded second-half goals in a frantic contest.
The victory, Real Sociedad’s second in a row after a difficult spell, felt deeply symbolic. “I hit it with all my soul,” Gorrotxategi said. “This goal belongs to the fans — something has clicked.”
For manager Sergi Francisco, overseeing his first Basque derby, it was the perfect moment: “If we could have written it, it would have looked something like this.”
