Real Sociedad defeats long-time rivals Athletic Bilbao

Real Sociedad trounced Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Basque derby on Saturday, strengthening their grip on third position, just behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

After Alexander Sorloth put Sociedad on the scoreboard, Takefusa Kubo scored to make it 2-0. A penalty was also awarded to the Japan winger, leaving Bilbao with an extra man, which Mikel Oyarzabal converted. Oyarzabal, who recently made a full recovery from a major knee injury, scored his first goal in ten months.

Athletic's Oihan Sancet scored, and Yeray Alvarez pushed Kubo down in the box, earning himself a straight red card. Athletic had a terrible night against their neighbors, whose offensive play was too much to overcome.