Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid on penalties on Saturday to win its fourth Copa del Rey.
Atletico twice came from behind to force extra time and penalties, but Unai Marrero saved two spot kicks in a dramatic shootout to give his team its first title since 2020.
Sociedad startled Diego Simeone’s side by scoring the fastest goal in a Copa del Rey final, with Ander Barrenetxea heading Goncalo Guedes’ cross into the corner after just 14 seconds.
Ademola Lookman equalized with a low slotted strike in 18 minutes, but Mikel Oyarzabal restored the Basque side’s lead from the spot in first-half stoppage time after goalkeeper Juan Musso caught Guedes as he attempted to push the ball away.
However, Atletico got the most chances to score in the second half and were compensated for their attempts when Julian Alvarez launched a magnificent shot from the outskirts of the penalty area into the upper corner.
Neither team could determine a victor in a tiring extra time, but Sociedad maintained their composure during the shootout, clinching the trophy when Pablo Marin’s powerful penalty struck the crossbar.
Atletico Madrid, currently in fourth place in La Liga and trailing leaders Barcelona by 22 points, now turns their focus to the Champions League, where they will compete against Arsenal in the semi-final, starting with the first leg on 29 April.
