VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN — Orri Óskarsson delivered the decisive blow in the 80th minute as Real Sociedad completed a remarkable comeback to defeat Alavés 3-2 in a pulsating Copa del Rey encounter at Mendizorrotza. The Icelandic forward's clinical finish from the center of the box, set up by Luka Sucic's perfectly weighted through ball on the counter-attack, capped a stunning 14-minute spell that saw the visitors overturn a one-goal deficit and break home hearts.
The match exploded into life early when Abde Rebbach gave Alavés a dream start in the eighth minute, rifling a right-footed effort from outside the box into the bottom right corner after receiving Aitor Mañas's assist. The home crowd barely had time to settle before Real Sociedad responded with venom. Mikel Oyarzabal leveled matters in the 15th minute, converting from a difficult angle on the left following Gonçalo Guedes's delivery from a corner. The captain's finish to the center of the goal demonstrated his predatory instincts and set the tone for an open, attacking contest.
Alavés regained the advantage just before the half-hour mark through Toni Martínez, who stepped up to convert a penalty with aplomb in the 29th minute, sending his right-footed shot into the bottom right corner. The hosts appeared to have weathered Real Sociedad's storm and looked comfortable protecting their lead deep into the second half. Raúl Fernández in the Alavés goal made three crucial saves to keep his side ahead, including a vital stop from Beñat Turrientes's close-range effort in the 72nd minute.
The drama intensified in the 67th minute when Duje Caleta-Car fouled Martínez inside the area, prompting a VAR review that confirmed the penalty. However, Álex Remiro produced a moment of brilliance, diving to his right to deny Martínez and keep Real Sociedad within touching distance. That save proved pivotal as the visitors seized control of the final quarter.
Gonçalo Guedes ignited the comeback in the 76th minute, cutting in from the left side of the box and drilling a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner after Turrientes's incisive through ball unlocked the Alavés defense. The Portuguese winger's clinical finish leveled the scores and shifted momentum decisively. Just 60 seconds earlier, Caleta-Car had seen his header from very close range saved by Fernández following Sergio Gómez's cross, but the pressure was building inexorably.
Real Sociedad enjoyed the majority of possession at 54.2% and their patient build-up play eventually paid dividends. The referee was busy throughout, brandishing seven cards in a feisty affair that saw Ander Guevara, Lucas Boyé, and Pablo Ibáñez cautioned for Alavés, while Caleta-Car received his yellow for the penalty concession. The visitors registered 11 shots to Alavés's seven, with their superior accuracy proving decisive as they converted six efforts on target into three goals.
Óskarsson's winner arrived at the perfect moment, with the substitute racing onto Sucic's pass and finishing emphatically past Fernández. The goal sparked wild celebrations from the traveling support and left Alavés devastated after they had controlled large portions of the match. Denis Suárez and Ander Guevara worked tirelessly in midfield for the hosts, while Jonny provided defensive solidity down the left flank, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient against Real Sociedad's relentless attacking quality.
The final minutes descended into chaos as Alavés threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer. Abde Rebbach was caught offside in the 77th minute as the hosts desperately sought a route back into the contest. Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil introduced fresh legs, bringing on Orri Óskarsson and Luka Sucic in the 74th minute, and both substitutes made immediate impacts. The tactical adjustments proved inspired as Real Sociedad's superior depth and quality shone through in the crucial moments.
Brais Méndez and Carlos Soler controlled the tempo in midfield for the visitors, while Aihen Muñoz provided width down the left before being replaced by Daniel Díaz. The match statistics reflected a closely contested battle, with Real Sociedad edging the corner count 6-3 and committing 18 fouls to Alavés's 17 in a physical encounter that never lacked intensity.
Eight minutes of added time provided Alavés with one final opportunity to salvage the tie, but Real Sociedad defended resolutely. Pablo Ibáñez received a late yellow card for a foul on Turrientes as frustrations boiled over, and Óskarsson was caught offside twice in the dying stages as the visitors looked to seal the victory on the counter. When the final whistle sounded, Real Sociedad had secured a hard-earned Copa del Rey triumph that showcased their character and quality in equal measure.
Alavés host Getafe on February 8, seeking to bounce back from this heartbreaking cup exit and refocus their energies on league survival.