Real Sociedad’s players celebrate Real Sociedad’s Spanish midfielder Roberto Lopez’s goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on April 7, 2021. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
Real Sociedad broke Atletico Bilbao’s hearts for the second time in four days as Roberto Lopez hit a late equalizer in their Basque derby La Liga clash on Wednesday, four days after defeating their archrivals in the Copa del Rey final.
Captain Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the spot as Real Sociedad won their first trophy since 1987 in the postponed 2020 cup final, and the sides were soon facing each other again.
Bilbao thought they had extracted a measure of revenge when Asier Villalibre headed home Alejandro Berenguer’s long cross in the 85th minute, but substitute Lopez had other ideas.
🔵⚪️ @RealSociedadEN equalize in the 89th minute!!! ROBERTO LOPEZ makes it 1-1 against @Athletic_en. #RealSociedadAthletic on beIN SPORTS pic.twitter.com/8QGsuKrRP3
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 7, 2021
With the clock ticking up towards 90 minutes, Lopez received the ball and made space for himself before unleashing a thunderous long-range shot into the top-left corner.
The draw left Real Sociedad fifth in the standings on 46 points, ahead of Betis and Villarreal on goal difference in the battle for Europa League spots.
Bilbao, who are 10th on 36 points, will have a part to play in bringing Real Sociedad’s reign as cup champions to a swift end when they face Barcelona on April 17 in the 2021 final.