Sunday's Basque derby at the San Mamés concluded with a 2-1 victory for Athletic Club over Real Sociedad, in a match that once again highlighted the historical rivalry between both teams. The match, which was part of matchday 11 of LaLiga, was played in front of a large crowd and in an atmosphere full of tradition, with the players from both ranks remembering the emblematic match from 1976 when goalkeepers JoseÁngel Iribar and Inaxio Kortabarria wore the ikurriña before starting the duel.
Athletic opened the scoring in the 28th minute thanks to a goal from Iñaki Williams, who after a quick counterattack and a precise header shot, put the team ahead. La Real responded in the 45th minute with a goal from LukaSucic, tying the score before the break and leaving the match with palpable tension. During the second half, Athletic took the lead again when Alex Berenguer converted a penalty in the 66th minute, after a foul on the Real forward that caused the play. Berenguer's goal became the decisive one, and Athletic remained firm until the final whistle.
Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón showed his quality on several occasions, making crucial saves that kept Real on the verge of victory. Before the match, Simón presented the fans with his Yashin Trophy, an award that recognizes him as the best goalkeeper in the world, which added a touch of celebration to the day. On the field, Real's defense, led by JonAramburu, tried to contain Athletic's attack, but the Basque team's midfield, with players like Alex Berenguer and Daniel Vivian, managed to dominate the pace of the game.
The result leaves Athletic in 7th position in the table, with 45 points, while Real Sociedad is in 12th position, with 39 points. The derby not only affected the classification, but also had an impact on the teams' morale: Athletic advances in the fight for a Champions League spot, while Real continues looking for stability in the middle part of the table.
With the end of the season still in sight, both teams prepare for their next matches. Athletic will have to maintain their performance to secure a high final position, while Real will look to close the campaign with positive momentum. The Basque derby of San Mamés, with its history and its decisive moments, will continue to be remembered as one of the most exciting matches of matchday 11 of LaLiga.