How did Real Sociedad secure their latest Copa del Rey title? By defeating Atlético Madrid 4-3 in a nail-biting penalty shootout after a gripping 2-2 draw following extra time.
The final, held at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville on April 18, 2026, showcased the resilience of Real Sociedad. Unai Marrero, their goalkeeper, played a crucial role—making decisive saves from Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez during the shootout. “I knew that if we got to penalties, I believed in myself, my teammates believed in me, our fans believed in me,” Marrero shared after the match.
Ander Barrenetxea made history by scoring the fastest-ever goal in a Copa del Rey final just 14 seconds after kickoff. He set the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening for the fans. Mikel Oyarzabal added to the excitement by converting a penalty just before halftime.
This victory marks Real Sociedad’s fourth Copa del Rey title and their first since 2020. It’s a significant turnaround for the team, which was hovering just two points above relegation when Pellegrino Matarazzo took over as head coach last December. Under his guidance, they have climbed into the upper half of the La Liga table.
In contrast, Atlético Madrid had struggled leading up to this final, losing five of their last six matches across all competitions. Their captain Koke reflected on the match: “The team did all it could to turn this around; we were behind right from the start and did what we could.” Despite their efforts, they fell short.
Pablo Marín scored the winning penalty for Real Sociedad, sealing a memorable night for players and fans alike. The atmosphere was electric as supporters celebrated their team’s hard-fought victory.
Looking ahead, Real Sociedad has set their sights higher—they want to win the Champions League next. Yet, one can only wonder how they’ll build on this success and maintain momentum in La Liga. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential transfers or strategies moving forward.
