Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey for the fourth time on Saturday, defeating Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw following extra time in Seville. Goalkeeper Unai Marrero emerged as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to hand the Basque side their first major trophy since their 2020 cup triumph.
The final exploded into life almost immediately as Sociedad scored after just 14 seconds, the fastest goal ever in a Copa del Rey final. Ander Barrenetxea headed home from close range after Goncalo Guedes delivered a dangerous cross, stunning Diego Simeone’s side before many fans had even settled into their seats.
Atletico responded quickly and equalised in the 19th minute through Ademola Lookman, who finished low after Sociedad failed to clear the danger. But the Basque side restored their lead in first-half stoppage time when Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot after Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso fouled Guedes while trying to punch the ball away.
The Madrid side dominated long spells of the second half and were eventually rewarded when Julian Alvarez curled a fine effort from the edge of the box into the top corner to make it 2-2. Atletico pushed for a winner, but neither side could find a decisive goal in regulation time or during a tense, increasingly weary period of extra time.
That sent the final to penalties, where Marrero produced the defining moment of the night. The Sociedad goalkeeper saved from Alexander Sorloth and Alvarez, while Atletico could only watch as Pablo Marin struck the winning penalty into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the club’s supporters.
The victory carried added emotional weight for Sociedad. Their last Copa del Rey success, officially the 2020 edition but played in 2021 because of the pandemic, came behind closed doors. This time, they lifted the trophy in front of their fans, ending a long wait for a full public celebration. Reuters described it as the club’s first title since 2020, while other reports noted it was their first such triumph in front of supporters since 1987.
