75 years on, Real Sociedad recall their most glorious semi-final | OneFootball

With three days until the Copa semi-final second leg against Athletic, Real Sociedad look to 1951, when they beat Real Madrid home and away to reach a final widely seen as their greatest.

Diario Vasco notes that side had only two top-flight seasons since 1949 and walked into a hostile Chamartín in the so-called semifinal of the whistles, yet Benito Díaz's men earned a first win there and went through.

The first leg on 13 May 1951 at Atocha was rain soaked, and with Epi and Igoa out the hosts adapted better. Madrid sat on 0-0 until Artigas struck with eight minutes left for 1-0.

Madrid figures played down the setback, Santiago Bernabéu called the deficit small and coach Héctor Scarone even vowed to quit if they failed, while attacking the Atocha crowd. Real president Felipe de Arteche hit back, and the hosts for the return handed out thousands of whistles.

Rain again helped La Real, who restored Epi. Alsua drew defenders and Barinaga beat Juanito Alonso for the opener, then on 73 minutes Patri lofted a free-kick that Caeiro headed in for 2-0. The whistles turned on Madrid and the crowd applauded the Gipuzkoans.

Madrid media lamented a lack of courage, Scarone said anyone would have beaten them and Alonso called it his worst game, yet the coach stayed. Victories of 1-0 and 2-0 sent La Real to a fifth final after 1909, 1910, 1913 and 1928. On Wednesday they seek a ninth.

Source: Diario Vasco