Real Sociedad clinch Copa del Rey final berth by defeating Basque foes Athletic Bilbao

Mikel Oyarzabal converted a late spot-kick to propel Real Sociedad into the Copa del Rey final after a 1-0 victory against Basque counterparts Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, ensuring a 2-0 aggregate win in the semi-finals.

US coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has revitalised Real Sociedad since taking charge in December, and now his team will take on Atletico Madrid in the Seville showdown on April 18, following their elimination of Barcelona.

With a 1-0 advantage carried over from the initial leg at Athletic's San Mames, Real Sociedad delivered a solid performance at the Reale Arena to eliminate the 24-time champions.

"Incredibly proud of the lads' achievements over the last two months, it's remarkable," Matarazzo commented.

"Our debut game was on January 4... and here we are in the cup final.

"The style of football we are delivering is productive, and we aim to keep it up... we are in the final, and our goal is to claim the trophy."

Real Sociedad remain unbeaten in their past 10 home derbies versus Athletic, a team they overcame in the 2020 final, and they seldom appeared at risk of surrendering their lead.

"The single-goal cushion was beneficial, we controlled the pace effectively," Real Sociedad's Jon Martin shared with Movistar.

"We preferred to keep things low-key, and we handled it nicely."

La Real dominated a tightly contested opening 45 minutes, with Carlos Soler posing the biggest threat. His free-kick, heading for the upper corner, was parried away by Athletic keeper Alex Padilla.

Matarazzo's squad enjoyed greater possession and pressed the away side, though they created few additional opportunities.

Athletic's Aitor Paredes executed a crucial clearance to thwart ex-Valencia player Soler, while Goncalo Guedes fired into the side of the net.

Ernesto Valverde's outfit stepped up after the break and started to press La Real, yet still failed to fashion a genuine goal threat.

Alejandro Berenguer unleashed a shot astray after Inaki Williams supplied him near the penalty area.

The Lions were without their potent Spanish forward Nico Williams, out long-term due to a groin injury.

Oyarzabal clinches the win

The outcome hinged on a penalty when Athletic's Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta tugged at Yangel Herrera's shirt as he attempted to rise in the area.

Following VAR intervention, the official pointed to the spot, and Spanish forward Oyarzabal calmly deceived Padilla in the 87th minute.

Mikel Vesga nearly equalised for Athletic during added time as they surged ahead desperately, but Real Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero blocked superbly with his foot to confirm his side's trip to Andalusia.

"It was a fiercely contested match, a true Basque derby," Valverde noted.

"We created a solid opportunity late on, which might have drawn us level, but it was not meant to be."

Icelandic forward Orri Oskarsson could have increased La Real's margin right at the end but headed onto the upright, though it proved irrelevant.

"This feels awful, it's disappointing, we were desperate for that Seville final, words fail me," Athletic's Williams told Movistar.

"(Regarding the penalty) that sort of holding occurs in every set-piece, every corner, and it's tough (to cope with)."