Real Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties to win the Copa del Rey on Saturday after drawing 2-2 after extra time, with goalkeeper Unai Marrero saving two penalties to help his side win the trophy for a fourth time.
Sociedad last won the cup in 2021, when the postponed 2020 final was also played at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium, but no supporters were in attendance due to the COVID pandemic.
This time, the Basque team’s fans stood behind the goal to watch Marrero save Atletico’s first two penalties from Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez.
Atletico keeper Juan Musso then stopped Orri Oskarsson’s kick, but Pablo Marin held his nerve to score the winning penalty.
The last time the two teams met in the final was in 1987, when it also ended 2-2 with Sociedad coming out on top on penalties. It repeated its task again to deny Atletico, who were looking for their first Copa del Rey victory since 2013.
Ander Barrenetxea had given Sociedad the lead after 14 seconds, but Ademola Lookman leveled in the 19th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal then gave the Basque team the lead again just before half time with a penalty.
Alvarez drew Atletico level with seven minutes remaining to force extra time in a dramatic finale.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico had only just reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but Sociedad, led by American Pellegrino Matarazzo, triumphed despite losing the lead twice.
Published on April 19, 2026
