Real Sociedad produced a monumental performance in Seville to secure the Copa del Rey, lifting the trophy for the fourth time in their history and the second time in the last six years.

Atletico Madrid entered the final as heavy favourites, buoyed by their midweek Champions League heroics against Barcelona. While Diego Simeone’s men arrived on a high after reaching the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition, the physical toll of that encounter clearly weighed heavy against a relentless Basque side.

The game exploded into life just 15 seconds after the opening whistle. Real Sociedad caught the Atleti defence cold in a lightning-fast start; Gonçalo Guedes delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, allowing Ander Barrenetxea to power a header into the net. 1-0 to the Basques before the stadium had even settled.

Atletico’s response was immediate and aggressive. They cranked up the tempo, relentlessly targeting the left flank where Ademola Lookman proved to be a constant menace. It was Lookman who restored parity in the 19th minute, ghosting to the edge of the area and arrowing a clinical finish into the bottom corner. While many expected the momentum to shift permanently toward the capital club, Sociedad stuck to their tactical blueprint and continued to threaten on the counter.

The pressure told just before the interval. Juan Musso suffered a rush of blood, completely missing the ball on an aerial challenge and instead clattering into Guedes. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Mikel Oyarzabal—the hero of the 2020 final—stepped up to coolly convert the penalty. It was a poetic moment at La Cartuja, a venue Oyarzabal previously conquered in the eerie silence of the pandemic era; today, however, the stadium was a cauldron of noise.

The second half saw Atletico dominate possession as they chased the game. Despite their territorial advantage, they struggled to carve out clear-cut openings against a resolute Sociedad backline. Simeone threw on his attacking reinforcements, while Matarazzo opted for defensive stability. The gamble almost paid off for the Basques, but Julian Alvarez rescued Atletico in the 83rd minute, rifling home to send the tie into extra time.

With no further breakthrough in the additional 30 minutes, the final was decided by the drama of a penalty shootout. Atletico’s nerves failed them early on as Unai Marrero emerged as the hero, saving efforts from both Alexander Sørloth and Alvarez. Although Musso gave Atleti a glimmer of hope by denying Oskarsson, the Basque shooters remained perfect thereafter. Pablo Marín stepped up to smash the final penalty into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations and securing Real Sociedad a place in next season's Europa League.

2025-26, Spain - Copa del Rey

Atletico Madrid - Real Sociedad 2:2 (1:2), shoot-out 3:4
Goals: Barrenetxea, 1 (0:1); Lookman, 19 (1:1); Oyarzabal, 45 (penalty) (1:2); Álvarez Jul., 83 (2:2)

Atletico Madrid: Musso; Ruggeri (Sørloth, 62); Molina N. (Cardoso Joao, 78); Pubill; Le Normand; Koke; Llorente M. (Lenglet, 99); Griezmann (Almada, 70); Álvarez Jul.; Simeone G-o (Álex Baena, 70); Lookman (Gonzalez N., 62)
Substitution: Gonzalez N. (from 62); Sørloth (from 62); Álex Baena (from 70); Almada (from 70); Cardoso Joao (from 78); Lenglet (from 99)
Bench: Oblak; Boñar; Barrios P.; Vargas Ob.; Mendoza R.
Yellow Cards: Le Normand 33; Musso 43

Real Sociedad: Marrero; Aramburu (Elustondo, 113); Caleta-Car; Martín Jon; Turrientes (Gorrotxategi, 68); Oyarzabal (Oskarsson, 78); Sergio Gomez (Kubo T., 88); Soler; Sucic L.; Guedes G. (Muñoz A., 78); Barrenetxea (Marin P., 68)
Substitution: Gorrotxategi (from 68); Marin P. (from 68); Muñoz A. (from 78); Oskarsson (from 78); Kubo T. (from 88); Elustondo (from 113)
Bench: Remiro; Beitia; Herrera Ya.; Méndez B.; Wesley
Yellow Cards: Oyarzabal 31; Gorrotxategi 120; Elustondo 121