Marc-Andre ter Stegen was delighted his man-of-the-match display helped Barcelona progress to the final of the Supercopa de Espana.
Ronald Koeman's side won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with La Real in the first semi-final in Cordoba.
Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty cancelled out Frenkie de Jong's header in normal time and there was little to split the sides in an end-to-end contest.
Ter Stegen produced six saves in 120 minutes including an impressive one-on-one stop to deny Alexander Isak and a flying one-handed save from Joseba Zaldua, and he even appeared to get fingertips to an Adnan Januzaj free-kick that clattered off the post.
The Germany international saved Sociedad's first two penalties in the shoot-out, including from Oyarzabal, before Riqui Puig's decisive effort sent the Catalans through.
Ter Stegen, who said he had not "studied" for a possible shoot-out, was left frustrated that he did not quite reach Januzaj's effort to end the penalties earlier.
"I'm very happy with the game, but I could have saved one more penalty," he said.
"Real Sociedad were a really tough opponent. We deserve the victory. I always look to be at 100 per cent. You have to win these games, and I'm very happy to be able to help the team.
"In the first 25 minutes, they pressed really strongly and did it really well. It was tough for us to get out, but bit by bit we found space and played between the lines.
"They were tiring and we were able to dominate the ball more."
Oyarzabal sent Ter Stegen the wrong way with his penalty in normal time, converting for the 15th time in a row from the spot, the best such run of any LaLiga player since the start of 2015-16.
However, as he tried a similar stuttered run-up in the shoot-out, Ter Stegen waited before flying to his right to make the save.
"What can I say? Losing like this hurts even more," said Oyarzabal. "To have the opportunity and lose on penalties, which is part lottery and part success...
"If I had to take a penalty tomorrow, I'd do it in the same way. The longer you wait, the fewer options the goalkeeper has. In the end, this time, maybe I rushed it a bit."
Liam Boyce extends Hearts stay as club tease further news
Liam Boyce has extended his current deal at Hearts until the summer of 2025 with Jambos fans told to “watch this space” for more good signing news.
The 32-year-old Northern Ireland striker has returned to the first-team fold following a lengthy injury lay-off and his appearances this season have triggered a year’s option in his contract.
Boyce joined Hearts in January, 2020 and has scored 36 times in 107 appearances.
Sporting director Joe Savage told the club’s official website: “Boycie’s contract extension is great news and a testament to his drive and determination.
“Our plan was always to give him the time he needed to come back feeling fit and then reintegrate him into the first-team scene.
“There was never any pressure, it was about making sure Boycie had the best chance to get back to the level he’s capable of.
“I think everybody can see he’s achieved that. He’s an influential player on and off the pitch so for him to trigger his contract extension is pleasing for everyone.
“There’s been lots of positivity around the club recently thanks to the first-team’s winning run, moving up to third in the league and also Steven (Naismith) and Lawrence Shankland’s awards (manager and player of the month for November respectively) and Boycie’s contract extension adds to it and we’re hopeful of sorting out a few more, so watch this space.”
Naismith said: “Boycie’s experience is invaluable inside the dressing room and we’re all delighted that he’s going to be here for a further year.
“I know from experience how difficult it is to return from a long-term injury but he has taken everything in his stride and you can see when he’s out on the pitch that it’s not affected him, he’s a quality player.
“Competition for places is fierce and having top talent like Boycie challenging for a spot only helps push standards even higher.”
Government stops short of introducing Hillsborough Law in response to report
The Government has stopped short of introducing a Hillsborough Law called for by campaigners in its response to a report into the experiences of the bereaved families.
Former bishop of Liverpool the Right Rev James Jones set out 25 learning points in his report The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power, published in November 2017 following inquests into the deaths at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield – where 97 Liverpool FC fans died.
In a response published on Wednesday, the Government said it had signed up to a Hillsborough Charter, pledging to place the public interest above its own reputation, but said a “Hillsborough Law” incorporating a legal duty of candour was not necessary.
In the foreword to the report, Home Secretary James Cleverly and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk acknowledged the response had taken “too long, compounding the agony of the Hillsborough families and survivors”.
They added: “For this we are deeply sorry.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Hillsborough families have suffered multiple injustices and more than 34 years later there can never be too many apologies for what they have been through.
“And I want to repeat that apology today and thank the Hillsborough families for their tenacity, patience and courage.”
In his 2017 report, Mr Jones called for the Government to give “full consideration” to a “Hillsborough Law” or Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, which would include a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively co-operate with official investigations and inquiries.
But the response stated the Government was “not aware” of any gaps in legislation or clarifications needed that would further encourage a culture of candour among public servants in law.
It is understood the Government believes that adopting the duty of candour would risk “creating conflict and confusion” because of the framework of duties and obligations already developed since the disaster.
In 2021, retired officers Donald Denton and Alan Foster and former force solicitor Peter Metcalf, who were accused of amending statements to minimise the blame on South Yorkshire Police after the tragedy, were acquitted of perverting the course of justice when a judge ruled there was no case to answer.
Mr Justice William Davis said the amended statements were intended for a public inquiry into safety at sports grounds led by Lord Justice Taylor, but that was not a course of public justice.
In its report, the Government said the families and survivors were “entirely justified” in their frustration with the evasiveness they experienced from public officials.
But it said much had changed in terms of expectations and requirements on public officials since 1989.
It said that “continuing to drive and encourage a culture of candour among public servants” was essential and an important part of the Hillsborough Charter, which Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden had signed on behalf of the Government.
The charter for families bereaved through public tragedy was proposed by Mr Jones in his report, in which he said “substantial change” was needed in the culture of public bodies.
Leaders of public bodies who sign up to the charter commit to place the public interest above their own reputations, approach forms of public scrutiny – including public inquiries and inquests – with candour and avoid seeking to defend the indefensible.
Other organisations which have already signed up to the charter include the National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing, Crown Prosecution Service and Kensington and Chelsea Council, the report said.
The Government response also states that it will consult on expanding the provision of legal aid for inquests following public disasters.
Inquests into the deaths at the match, played between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, concluded in 2016 and found that fans were unlawfully killed and errors by the police and ambulance service caused or contributed to their deaths.
The match commander on the day, David Duckenfield, was charged with gross negligence manslaughter in 2017 but he was cleared in 2019 at a retrial, after the jury in his first trial was unable to reach a verdict.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen set for surgery on back injury
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is to undergo back surgery this week, the club have announced.
The news comes after the 31-year-old sat out Germany’s matches against Turkey and Austria last month and three subsequent Barca fixtures.
A statement on the club’s official website said: “First-team player Marc ter Stegen will undergo a surgical procedure this week to address the lower back issues he is experiencing. Following the procedure, a new statement will be given.”
Ter Stegen said in a post on social media: “After intensive conversations with the medical team of the club and various supporting experts, we decided to undergo a surgical procedure.
“The break obviously annoys me. It is the right and safe decision in order to come back in the best conditions for my club and national team.”
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