Barrenetxea hits back with late winner at Mestalla | OneFootball

Ander Barrenetxea answered his critics in style, crashing a late winner into the top corner against Valencia at Mestalla. The strike banked three points for Real Sociedad on the cusp of the international break.

According to AS, the San Sebastián winger can polarise, yet alongside Oyarzabal he remains one of Zubieta’s most decisive graduates after joining from Antiguoko, a Donosti club linked to Athletic.

In March 2026 Luis de la Fuente called him up for Spain’s World Cup warm-up friendlies, and he started on 31 March against Egypt at the RCDE Stadium. An adductor tear then cost him a place at the tournament, with Nico Williams, Víctor Muñoz and Yeremy Pino making it despite carrying knocks. He admitted it hurt to miss out, said it would have been lovely to share the moment, and described his reaction as healthy envy.

Explosive and unpredictable with a thunderous right foot, his challenge has been consistency. He has said the level is there but delivered it in bursts, and he hopes to find continuity because it could be a very good year. He is the son of Azu Muguruza, coach of the IDK basketball team.

Deeply tied to La Real, Barrenetxea believes in Matarazzo’s project. Reflecting on Valencia, he felt they might have added another and killed it earlier, but stressed the priority was the win. He said there will be time to review mistakes.

Source: AS

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