Gorrotxategi Breaks the Balance in a Crunch Match for the Ages

Must Watch Futmetrix Score: 87/100. When stalemate seemed certain, Real Sociedad snatched three vital points in a relegation battle that saw five lead changes and a late-game twist that rewrote the entire narrative.

Five Lead Changes in Offensive Chaos

Survival was on the line. Real Sociedad and Athletic Club arrived fighting for their La Liga lives, and from minute 38, both unleashed relentless intensity. Brais Méndez struck first for the hosts, but four minutes later, Gorka Guruzeta equalized with Gorosabel's assist. The onslaught continued: Gonçalo Guedes restored Sociedad's lead in the 47th minute, completing a three-goal blitz in just nine minutes that shattered any balance. The scoreline shifted with each whistle.

VAR's Pivotal Intervention

In the 68th minute, Arsen Zakharyan thought he'd sealed victory, but VAR ruled it out. That decision became the match's turning point. Nine minutes later, Robert Navarro equalized for Athletic, dragging the contest into sudden-death territory. Every action carried stakes now—one mistake meant the title race slipped away.

The 90th-Minute Reckoning

Jon Gorrotxategi authored the final chapter in stoppage time, teed up by Mikel Oyarzabal. A goal that didn't just break five lead changes—it handed Real Sociedad three points in a relegation battle where both sides left everything on the pitch. Athletic, despite 77% pass accuracy and eleven shots, couldn't avoid defeat. This was survival football at its rawest.