When Yugoslavia still existed, Zaragoza was a party | OneFootball

On 27 June 1987 at a sweltering La Romareda, Real Sociedad embraced irreverent optimism, underlining a belief they only win when happy.

Coaches of Real fans rolled into Zaragoza with little fuss for a Copa final with Atlético Madrid, many teenagers travelling alone. According to Diario Vasco, a Spain under-21 v Yugoslavia curtain-raiser preceded the 20.30 kick-off and, baking in the stands, the Real end chanted "Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia".

Yugoslavia still existed and Real had no foreigners, not for long, John Aldridge would arrive two years later and war hit that country in 1991. John Toshack, two years into his Donostia project, mixed the title-winning core of Arconada, Gorriz, Zamora and López Ufarte with López Rekarte, Bakero and Txiki Begiristain. Atlético were perhaps slight favourites.

The match opened with López Ufarte scoring, Da Silva levelled, then Begiristain restored the lead in a symbolic left-wing handover. It was López Ufarte’s 474th and final Real appearance and his 129th goal, a club mark later equalled by Mikel Oyarzabal in 2026, 39 years on.

Rubio made it 2-2 late on, extra time changed nothing. On his first day as Atlético president, elected the previous day, Jesús Gil sweated, having already hired Menotti, who would later sign López Ufarte.

The shootout went, Bakero scored, Rubio replied, Musti Mujika converted, Da Silva missed, Martin Beguiristain scored, Landáburu netted, Larrañaga scored. In blue shirt, black shorts and white socks, Arconada saved Quique Ramos’s kick, and the Real end knew happiness had carried them.

Source: Diario Vasco