Real Sociedad Win Copa del Rey 2026: Dramatic Penalty Shootout Triumph Over Atletico Madrid.Sevilla, April 18, 2026.
In one of the most thrilling Copa del Rey finals in recent memory, Real Sociedad lifted their fourth title after a pulsating 2-2 draw (AET) against Atletico Madrid, winning 4-3 on penalties at the Estadio La Cartuja. Unai Marrero emerged as the hero with two crucial saves, while Pablo Marín’s decisive spot-kick sealed the victory for the Basque side.
Match Summary
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad (AET) Real Sociedad win 4-3 on penalties
Half-time: Atletico 1-2 Real Sociedad
Full-time: 2-2
Venue: Estadio La Cartuja, Sevilla
Attendance: 55,000+
Key Events & Goals
1' – Lightning Start for Sociedad Ander Barrenetxea scored the fastest goal in Copa del Rey final history (just 14 seconds). Gonçalo Guedes delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Barrenetxea rose brilliantly to head home. The La Real fans exploded in delight.
Match Summary
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad (AET) Real Sociedad win 4-3 on penalties
Half-time: Atletico 1-2 Real Sociedad
Full-time: 2-2
Venue: Estadio La Cartuja, Sevilla
Attendance: 55,000+
Key Events & Goals
1' – Lightning Start for Sociedad Ander Barrenetxea scored the fastest goal in Copa del Rey final history (just 14 seconds). Gonçalo Guedes delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Barrenetxea rose brilliantly to head home. The La Real fans exploded in delight.
Ander Barrenetxea Scores the Fastest Goal in Copa del Rey Final History | beIN SPORTS
18' – Atletico Equalise Ademola Lookman, lively on debut influence, slotted home a low drive after Antoine Griezmann’s clever assist. The Nigerian forward showed composure to finish past Unai Marrero.
45+1' – Oyarzabal Penalty Juan Musso fouled Gonçalo Guedes in the box. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and coolly converted, sending Musso the wrong way. Sociedad went into half-time with a deserved lead.
83' – Julian Alvarez Magic The Argentine superstar produced a moment of brilliance, smashing an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box into the top corner. Atletico had fought back once again.
Julian Alvarez reveals he missed as many as SIX free-kicks in training before scoring incredible Atletico Madrid goal vs Barcelona.
Extra Time & Penalties Both teams looked exhausted in extra time. No further goals. The match went to penalties.
Penalty Shootout (Real Sociedad 4-3 Atletico) Unai Marrero was the star, saving two Atletico penalties. Pablo Marín kept his nerve to fire home the winner.
Player Ratings & Standout Performances
45+1' – Oyarzabal Penalty Juan Musso fouled Gonçalo Guedes in the box. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and coolly converted, sending Musso the wrong way. Sociedad went into half-time with a deserved lead.
83' – Julian Alvarez Magic The Argentine superstar produced a moment of brilliance, smashing an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box into the top corner. Atletico had fought back once again.
Julian Alvarez reveals he missed as many as SIX free-kicks in training before scoring incredible Atletico Madrid goal vs Barcelona.
Extra Time & Penalties Both teams looked exhausted in extra time. No further goals. The match went to penalties.
Penalty Shootout (Real Sociedad 4-3 Atletico) Unai Marrero was the star, saving two Atletico penalties. Pablo Marín kept his nerve to fire home the winner.
Player Ratings & Standout Performances
Real Sociedad
Unai Marrero (9/10): Hero of the night. Two penalty saves.
Ander Barrenetxea (8/10): Dream start with historic goal.
Mikel Oyarzabal (8.5/10): Captain’s penalty and leadership.
Gonçalo Guedes (8/10): Assist for the opener, won the penalty.
Igor Zubeldia & Aritz Elustondo: Rock-solid at the back.
Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez (8/10): World-class equaliser.
Ademola Lookman (7.5/10): Scored and caused problems.
Antoine Griezmann (7/10): Creative but couldn’t inspire victory.
Juan Musso: Costly error leading to the penalty.
Unai Marrero (9/10): Hero of the night. Two penalty saves.
Ander Barrenetxea (8/10): Dream start with historic goal.
Mikel Oyarzabal (8.5/10): Captain’s penalty and leadership.
Gonçalo Guedes (8/10): Assist for the opener, won the penalty.
Igor Zubeldia & Aritz Elustondo: Rock-solid at the back.
Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez (8/10): World-class equaliser.
Ademola Lookman (7.5/10): Scored and caused problems.
Antoine Griezmann (7/10): Creative but couldn’t inspire victory.
Juan Musso: Costly error leading to the penalty.
Tactical Analysis
Imanol Alguacil’s Sociedad played with intensity and pressed high, catching Atletico off guard early. Diego Simeone’s side showed their typical resilience, dominating possession in the second half and creating multiple chances. The game highlighted the tactical battle between La Real’s quick transitions and Atletico’s set-piece threat and fighting spirit.
Key Stats
Possession: Atletico 58% – Sociedad 42%
Shots: Atletico 18 – Sociedad 11
Corners: Atletico 7 – Sociedad 4
Fouls: 24 total (intense, physical final)
Historic Significance
This victory marks Real Sociedad’s first Copa del Rey title since 2020 and their fourth overall. For a club known for developing talent and playing attractive football, this triumph feels extra special against a powerhouse like Atletico.
Atletico Madrid, despite the heartbreak, remain focused on their La Liga campaign (currently 4th) and a huge Champions League semi-final against Arsenal starting April 29.
Atmosphere at La Cartuja
The iconic Sevilla venue was a cauldron of noise. Blue-and-white txuri-urdin flags mixed with Atletico’s red-and-white stripes created a spectacular sea of colour. The penalty shootout tension was palpable across the 55,000 fans.
Post-Match Reactions
Imanol Alguacil (Real Sociedad Coach): “This is for our fans, for San Sebastian, for the Basque Country. The boys showed incredible character. Marrero was unbelievable.”
Mikel Oyarzabal (Captain): “We dreamed of this. Winning the Copa is massive for us. That first-minute goal gave us belief.”
Diego Simeone (Atletico Coach): “Congratulations to Sociedad. We gave everything, came back twice, but penalties are a lottery. Now we focus on the Champions League.”
Unai Marrero: “I just tried to stay calm. Saving penalties in a final like this is something I’ll remember forever.”
Extended Match Breakdown
First Half Sociedad’s early goal stunned Atletico. Lookman’s response showed quality, but Oyarzabal’s penalty gave La Real control at the break.
Second Half Atletico turned up the pressure. Alvarez’s wonder strike was the highlight of a dominant period for the Colchoneros.
Extra Time Fatigue set in. Few clear chances as both teams prioritised not conceding.
Shootout Drama Marrero’s heroics and Marín’s composure wrote the final chapter of this epic.
What This Means Going Forward
Real Sociedad: Boosted confidence heading into the final stretch of La Liga and potential European qualification.
Atletico Madrid: Must regroup quickly for their Champions League semi-final clash with Arsenal.
This final will be remembered as a classic: early fireworks, late drama, heroic goalkeeping, and a deserving winner in Real Sociedad.
¡Txuri-urdin campeones! The Basque side are Copa del Rey winners 2026.
More Images from the Historic Night
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