Real Sociedad in pursuit of fourth Copa title | OneFootball

Real Sociedad will contest their eighth Copa del Rey final on 18 April in Seville, chasing a fourth crown. Only Barcelona have beaten them in finals, four times.

According to Diario Vasco, their cup story began in 1909 under the Club Ciclista banner, with further titles in Zaragoza in 1987 and in 2019/20.

In 1909 La Real won in Madrid’s round-robin, beating Athletic and Galicia de Vigo, then Español de Madrid 3-1 on 8 April, with McGuinness twice and Simmons.

Registered as Sociedad de Fútbol on 7 September 1909, they initially competed as Club Ciclista. In 1910, still ineligible to use the new Real name, they entered as Vasconia Sporting Club. Athletic beat Madrid and then Vasconia to take the cup, before Vasconia won to finish runners up, one of five overall despite only seven finals.

In 1913 a final with Barcelona needed three games, 2-2, then 0-0, before Barça won 2-1 at La Industria.

History repeated in 1928 against the same rival, another three match saga.

After 23 years came 1951, again against Barcelona, Kubala’s side winning 3-0. Another 36 years on, Zaragoza 1987 was settled on penalties when Luis Arconada saved Quique Ramos’s last kick.

They returned in 1988 at the Bernabéu, Toshack’s favourites undone as Alexanco’s strike gave Barcelona the title after the Catalans had signed Bakero, Begiristain and Rekarte. Police later baton charged Real fans outside, and a bleak cup spell followed.

The drought ended in 2021, Imanol’s team beating Athletic 1-0.

Source: Diario Vasco