La Real Claim Copa del Rey Glory After Penalty Drama Against Atleti

Real Sociedad celebrate their cup victory after stunning Atleti in cup final  

Real Sociedad won their first Copa del Rey since 2019/20, defeating Atletico Madrid on penalties at La Cartuja. Mikel Oyarzabal and Julian Alvarez traded goals before Marrero’s shootout saves and Pablo Marín’s winner sealed it 4-3.

Unai Marrero the penalty hero as Real Sociedad edge Atletico Madrid in thriller to lift Copa del Rey...

Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2019/20, beating Atlético Madrid 4-3 on penalties after the final at the Estadio La Cartuja ended 2-2 AET.

The final exploded into life when Ander Barrenetxea looped a header over a slow-reacting Juan Musso after just 14 seconds, before any Atletico player had even touched the ball.

It was the fourth time in the Rojiblancos’ six Copa del Rey matches this season that a goal had come before the 20th minute.

After steadying themselves, Unai Marrero was sharp to keep out Julián Álvarez’s fierce direct free-kick minutes later, as Diego Simeone’s men tried to shake off the shock of that early blow.

Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann started to control the tempo, and the pressure soon told when Ademola Lookman created space for himself inside the box.

Despite three Sociedad defenders crowding him, he still picked out the bottom corner of Marrero’s net with a low strike.

The game swung from end to end in a lively, open contest, with Gonçalo Guedes flashing an effort just wide for La Real.

Full time following the penalty shootout. pic.twitter.com/bs2cMPxyrs

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 18, 2026

The rest of the half became a more physical battle, with neither side creating clear chances until Musso wiped out Guedes in the air.

That gave Mikel Oyarzabal the chance to send the keeper the wrong way and put Sociedad back in front in first-half stoppage time.

Both teams came out after the break with fresh intent, with Atleti looking to get Lookman on the ball as often as possible.

The early second-half momentum was firmly with Los Colchoneros, and they were still on top at the hour mark, though without seriously testing the keeper.

Even with Álvarez and Griezmann linking up brilliantly, Diego Simeone withdrew the Frenchman to refresh his attack with 20 minutes left.

Lookman celebrates his strike against Real Sociedad  

Sociedad’s efforts to break forward through Guedes and Carlos Soler only heaped more pressure on their back line, as the opposition kept winning the ball back quickly and consistently while pushing hard for a second equaliser.

As full time approached, La Real started to push forward but were stung on the counter when Álvarez smartly found space before rifling a left-footed rocket into the net.

Álex Baena then missed an open goal from four yards as Atlético searched for a late winner.

Tired legs left gaps during extra time, with the best chance of the first period coming when Alvarez crashed a strike against the crossbar.

Oyarzabal converts from the spot  

A scrappy final 15 minutes was probably inevitable, so penalties were needed to settle the winner.

Alexander Sørloth and Álvarez both had their opening spot-kicks saved by Marrero, which proved decisive as Pablo Marín converted the crucial penalty for Sociedad.

Although Atletico were unbeaten in the last nine head-to-heads (W6, D3), Sociedad have now taken four of the last five meetings in this competition, extending their cup hoodoo over the Rojiblancos with this victory.

Don Álvaro Odriozola Arzallus. pic.twitter.com/DHnHnqD4YJ

— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) April 19, 2026

As a result, Atleti have now lost six of their last seven games in all competitions, handing UEFA Champions League semi-final opponents Arsenal a timely boost.