“It’s a moment to enjoy, to dream and to believe… the kid who dreamed of this… has done it,”
On April 18, 2026, Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid on penalties, with a final score of 4-3 following a dramatic 2-2 draw. The match took place at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville and was attended by 72,000 fans.
Ander Barrenetxea scored the fastest goal in Copa del Rey final history just 14 seconds into the match. Atletico responded quickly with Ademola Lookman finding the net in the 19th minute. This back-and-forth continued as Mikel Oyarzabal equalized for Real Sociedad with a penalty during first-half stoppage time.
Julian Alvarez brought Atletico Madrid level again in the 83rd minute, but it was not enough to secure victory. The match ended in a stalemate, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Unai Marrero saved two penalties, showcasing his skills under pressure. Atletico Madrid converted three penalties but fell short as Real Sociedad secured their fourth Copa del Rey title.
This victory is particularly significant for Pellegrino Matarazzo, who became the first American manager to lift a major trophy in Europe’s top five football leagues. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s domestic trophy drought has now extended to five years after this loss.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding future implications for both teams following this pivotal match. The outcome leaves Atletico Madrid reflecting on their long absence from silverware since their last Copa del Rey final appearance 13 years ago.
