SOCCER: Real Sociedad edge Bilbao to set up Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad will face Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after a 1-0 win over Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, securing a 2-0 aggregate semi-final victory.

Captain Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute, converting a penalty after referee Cesar Soto Grado reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta was penalized for pulling Yangel Herrera's shirt during a corner, and Oyarzabal placed his shot to the keeper's left as the goalkeeper dived the other way.

La Real controlled possession for most of the match but struggled to create clear scoring chances, managing just four shots on target. Athletic, missing injured winger Nico Williams, rarely threatened the home side until a late push in the second half, which ultimately fell short.

The Copa del Rey final will take place at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium on April 18, when Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid meet for the Spanish Cup showdown for the second time. The Basque side won their previous final against Atletico on penalties in 1987 after a 2-2 draw following extra time and lifted the trophy again in 2020. Atletico’s last Copa del Rey title came in 2013, marking their 10th triumph in the competition.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters