A Basque Derby with La Cartuja in Sight

Non gogoa, han zangoa — “Where the heart leads, the feet will follow” — is one of the most emblematic Basque proverbs, perfectly capturing the spirit surrounding this tie.

Hearts and feet from Gipuzkoa and Biscay will be on the line at 9:00pm (CET, live on La1 and Movistar+) as both sides chase a result at Reale Arena that will send them to the 18 April final in Seville, where Atlético de Madrid already await.

Following the 1–0 first-leg win at San Mamés Stadium, the arithmetic advantage lies with La Real — exactly five years after lifting their last Copa del Rey title in Seville, also against Athletic, in a final played without fans due to pandemic restrictions.

Real Sociedad have won their last two Copa del Rey ties against Athletic Club, although the historical balance of their 20 meetings favours the Lions.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side will look to cap an outstanding 2026 — in which their only league defeat came at the Bernabéu — by finishing the job in front of their home crowd and delivering the Seville celebration their supporters were denied five years ago.

La Real arrive in sharp attacking form, boasting ten different goalscorers in this season’s competition. They have already shown resilience, coming from behind on multiple occasions — including progressing via a penalty shootout in their most recent home tie.

However, the American coach will be without injured pair Takefusa Kubo and Álvaro Odriozola, while Óskarsson remains a doubt until shortly before kick-off.

Standing in their way is an Athletic Club side who tasted glory in Seville two years ago under Ernesto Valverde. To return to the final, they must overturn the first-leg goal scored by Beñat Turrientes — with away goals no longer serving as a tiebreaker, as was the case in previous seasons.

Iñaki Williams will be the most notable absentee for the Lions, who have made a habit of striking when it matters most in this competition. In each of their previous rounds, decisive goals in stoppage time or extra time have kept them roaring proudly on their cup run.