Cruyff dive denies Real Sociedad a Copa del Rey final | OneFootball

Diario Vasco recalls how a nascent Real Sociedad side, later champions in 1981 and 1982, saw their 1978 Copa del Rey run end in Barcelona.

They had seen off Acero, Xerez, Real Madrid, 2-0 at Atocha and 2-1 at the Bernabéu, then Valencia, and drew the first leg in March 1978. Rinus Michels’ Barça featured Cruyff, Neeskens, Rexach, Asensi, Migueli and goalkeeper Artola.

In the return, Salva Iriarte struck in the ninth minute, turning in after an Arconada punt and Satrústegui’s tussle caused a rebound. Real man-marked across the pitch, with Esnaola on Cruyff and Kortabarria on Rexach.

On 19 minutes Arconada, having claimed bravely, was kicked in the face by Fortes, fracturing his eye socket. Groggy and with impaired vision, he played on. There was no caution, and from then the officiating cut against La Real.

Migueli levelled with a header on 60 minutes, then in the 77th Diego was sent off for dissent after bouncing the ball. With Real down to 10, Cruyff went to ground under Gajate, the referee awarded a penalty and Rexach scored. The dive left a side three years from a league title without the final.

Source: Diario Vasco