“It’s a moment to enjoy, to dream and to believe… the kid who dreamed of this… has done it,” said Unai Marrero after his team, Real Sociedad, triumphed over Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final held on April 18, 2026. The match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Real Sociedad winning 4-3 after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
This victory marked Real Sociedad’s fourth Copa del Rey title in history. Until this match, they were two points above the relegation zone when Marrero took charge as manager in December. His leadership proved pivotal, culminating in this historic win.
In the final played at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, 72,000 fans witnessed a thrilling encounter. Ander Barrenetxea scored the fastest goal in Copa del Rey final history just 14 seconds into the game. But Atletico Madrid quickly responded; Ademola Lookman netted their first goal by the 19th minute.
Real Sociedad equalized shortly before halftime when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty kick during stoppage time. The match remained tense until Julian Alvarez scored for Atletico Madrid in the 83rd minute, bringing the score to 2-2 and forcing penalties.
During the shootout, Unai Marrero saved two penalties—his performance was crucial for Real Sociedad’s success. Atletico Madrid managed to score three penalties but fell short of matching Real Sociedad’s four successful attempts.
Following this defeat, Atletico Madrid’s domestic trophy drought has now extended to five years. Their last appearance in a Copa del Rey final was 13 years ago. This loss not only highlights their struggles but also raises questions about their future prospects.
The implications of this match are significant for both teams. While Real Sociedad celebrates their triumph, Atletico Madrid must regroup and reassess their strategy moving forward. The road ahead will be crucial as they seek to end their lengthy absence from winning silverware.
