BILBAO, Spain: Benat Turrientes fired Real Sociedad into a 1-0 Copa del Rey semifinal first leg lead at Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s La Real, unbeaten in nine games across all competitions since he took charge, impressed at Athletic’s San Mames stadium and deserved their derby triumph.
On Thursday holders Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the second semifinal.
Real Sociedad took a convincing step toward reaching the Seville final as they continued their run of fine form under New Jersey native Matarazzo.
Athletic, 24-time winners — more than any side other than Barcelona — have struggled for consistency this season and were second best in front of their disappointed fans in a typically intense derby clash.
La Real slowly inched up the pressure during the first half and had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down before half-time when Aymeric Laporte handled Duje Caleta-Car’s header.
They largely dominated after the interval and Pablo Marin struck the post from close range after Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla saved Mikel Oyarzabal’s effort.
Lively Portuguese winger Goncalo Guedes fired wide before creating the only goal of the game in Bilbao.
Guedes was taken out by Padilla as he ran through but the referee played advantage as Turrientes fired the winger’s pass, released just before the collision, into an empty net.
Spain winger Nico Williams had a shot blocked for Athletic at the other end but it was Real Sociedad creating more danger and looking more likely to score a second than concede a leveller.
The second leg takes place on March 4 at the Reale Arena.