Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey for the fourth time in the club’s history after beating Atletico Madrid on penalties at the end of a pulsating contest in Seville.
Ander Barrenetxea scored with virtually the first move of the match for Sociedad before Ademola Lookman levelled after 18 minutes.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the spot to regain Sociedad’s advantage before the break, but Julian Alvarez sent the game to extra time with a goal less then 10 minutes before the end.
Good chances were missed by both sides in what was a thrilling match, which was ultimately settled in the shoot-out, with Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero the hero after saving twice.
A record-breaking start
Anyone thinking that this final would be cagey were proven wrong almost immediately. Real Sociedad, beginning the day as underdogs, surged forward from kick-off, and within 15 seconds had broken the deadlock courtesy of Ander Barrenetxea’s header.
It was the fastest-ever goal in the Copa del Rey final, beating a record that previously stood for more than 70 years.
Atletico were stunned. But Diego Simeone’s men quickly found their feet and began to dominate possession.
And it eventually paid off. After Barrenetxea stung the palms of Juan Musso, Atleti levelled through Lookman’s low drive at the end of what was a frantic first 20 minutes in Seville.
But the advantage would not last long. Sociedad regained their lead on the stroke of half-time when they were awarded a penalty after Juan Musso clattered into Goncalo Guedes.
Real captain Mikel Oyarzabal made no mistake from the spot, sending the Atletico stopper the wrong way.
Atletico dominate but squander chances
Atletico began the second period brightly, Lookman and Antoine Griezmann squandering good chances to bring Simeone’s side back into the contest.
But after looking threatening for much of the second 45, Atletico’s dominance eventually paid off with less than 10 minutes of the 90 remaining, when Julian Alvarez turned in the area before arrowing a fine effort past Marrero into the top corner.
From there, Atleti perhaps should have put the tie to bed late on. First, Alex Baena blazed over at the back post when it seemed harder to miss.
Then, right at the death, Marrero produced an incredible save to tip Johnny Cardoso’s effort around the post.
The intensity continued in extra time. Moments after the restart, Juan Musso denied Orri Oskarsson from point-blank range before Alvarez rattled the post after a wonderful strike from outside the box.
But from there, fatigue began to show and the game headed to a penalty shoot-out, where Marrero was the hero, saving twice to give Sociedad the victory.
