Mikel Oyarzabal expressed a mix of pride and frustration following Real Sociedad’s narrow defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final. While he praised his team’s fighting spirit until the very end, he admitted that missing out on the final despite such a strong performance left him feeling both sad and angry.
A Controversial Goal Sparks Outrage
The match was filled with drama, especially after Oyarzabal’s stunning stoppage-time header forced extra time, giving Sociedad hope for a comeback. However, the real controversy centered around Real Madrid’s goal, which left Oyarzabal and his teammates frustrated.
Madrid’s goal came from an Aurélien Tchouaméni corner, but Oyarzabal believes Kylian Mbappé played an illegal role in the play.
According to the Sociedad captain, Mbappé’s positioning caused confusion for defender Igor Zubeldia, even though Zubeldia made contact with the ball. Oyarzabal argued that Mbappé was in an offside position and directly impacted the defender’s ability to contest the play.
“You have to defend in these situations, but for me, the offside is clear. Mbappé moves deliberately to confuse Igor, and that has an impact on the play. I don’t know if I’m wrong, but that’s how I saw it,” Oyarzabal stated.
Despite his frustration, he acknowledged that reviewing the incident with a clearer mind might offer a different perspective.
A Proud Performance Despite the Loss
Despite the disappointment, Oyarzabal highlighted the team’s strong mentality and performance, especially against an opponent as formidable as Real Madrid.
“We truly believed we could turn the tie around at the Bernabéu, and that says a lot about what we have achieved in recent years,” he said.
Though Sociedad’s cup run has come to an end, their spirited display earned them respect. Meanwhile, the debate over Real Madrid’s controversial goal is far from over.
