At Sevilla's La Cartuja Stadium, Spanish football fans had a flaming night that ended with Real Sociedad being crowned champions of the 2025-2026 Copa del Rey after beating Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties, following a dramatic match that ended in a 2-2 draw. It was as if time had turned on a whole cycle to repeat the scenario of the 1987 final, when the Basque team snatched the title in the same way against the same opponent.
The start came as a shock for Atletico and coach Diego Simeone, as it was only 14 seconds before the fastest goal in the history of the Copa del Rey sounded, with the signing of Andre Barencia, who took advantage of a long ball from goalkeeper Unai Mareiro, and then a perfect cross from Gonzalo Guedes, to put Sociedad in front and set the stands on fire early.
Atletico did not give in to the first blow, and responded quickly in the 19th minute through Ademola Lookman, who received Antoine Griezmann's pass, which he skillfully controlled and shot accurately into the far corner, to bring the game back to zero and give his team an important morale boost.
But Sociedad continued their organised pressure, and seconds before half-time they were awarded a penalty after a tackle by goalkeeper Juan Musso on Guedes, with captain Mikel Oyarzabal firmly advancing and scoring the second goal, giving his team a valuable advantage before entering the dressing rooms.
In the second half, Atletico rushed with all their weight in search of an equaliser, while Sociedad fell back to maintain their lead. In the 83rd minute, the Madrid stands exploded with joy after a brilliant goal from Julian Alvarez, who received a pass from substitute Thiago Almada and fired an unblocked left-footed shot into the top corner, bringing the game back into the tie and igniting the final minutes.
The original time saw dangerous chances, especially for Atlético, who came close to snatching the victory, but the brilliance of Marrero and the solidity of the Basque defence forced overtime, before the equalizer remained the master until the final whistle.
In the penalty shootout, a new hero of the evening emerged: goalkeeper Unai Marrero, who saved Sorloth and Julian Alvarez's kicks, giving his team a decisive advantage. Despite Oskarsson's squandering by Sociedad, the success of Carlos Soler, Luka Soucic, Ihin Muñoz and Pablo Marín, while only Nicolás González, Thiago Almada and Alex Baena were successful for Atletico, gave the Basque side a new historic title.
Thus, Real Sociedad rewrites the same chapter after 39 years, and confirms that history does not repeat itself in vain, while Atletico Madrid bitterly emerges from another final that escaped from its hands despite fighting until the last minute.