How did Real Sociedad secure their thrilling victory in the Copa del Rey final? They triumphed over Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout, winning 4-3 after a dramatic 2-2 draw.
The match, held on April 18, 2026, in Seville, was a rollercoaster of emotions. Real Sociedad’s Unai Marrero emerged as a hero, saving two crucial penalties during the shootout. His teammate Pablo Marín converted the decisive penalty, sealing the victory.
It was a historic moment for Real Sociedad. Ander Barrenetxea set the tone early by scoring the fastest goal in Copa del Rey final history—just 14 seconds into the match. Mikel Oyarzabal also contributed with a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
This win is particularly significant for coach Rino Matarazzo; he is now the first American coach to win a major trophy in one of Europe’s top five leagues. “What a moment this was for all of them, and especially for Rino Matarazzo,” an observer noted.
Before this victory, Real Sociedad had not tasted success in the Copa del Rey since 2020 and had gone 38 years without lifting any trophy. This triumph marks their fourth title overall.
Reflecting on his performance, Unai Marrero said, “I knew that if we got to penalties, I believed in myself, my teammates believed in me, our fans believed in me.” His confidence proved pivotal as he helped guide his team to glory.
Despite falling behind at various points in the match, Atlético Madrid fought valiantly. Koke remarked post-match, “The team did all it could to turn this around; we were behind right from the start and did what we could.” Their resilience made for an unforgettable final.
Now that they’ve lifted the trophy once again, what lies ahead for Real Sociedad? The future looks bright as they continue to build momentum from this historic victory. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how this will impact their upcoming season.
