Goalie Marrero ‘the Hero’: Real Sociedad Pip Atletico Madrid on Penalties to Lift Copa del Rey

Real Sociedad claimed the Copa del Rey for the fourth time in their history, edging Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties following a gripping 2-2 draw in the final on Saturday in Seville.

Goalkeeper Unai Marrero was the hero of the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to seal a first trophy for the Basque club since 2020.

The victory also marked a historic moment for head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who became the first American manager to lift a major trophy in any of Europe's top five football leagues.

The achievement is all the more remarkable given that when Matarazzo arrived in December, Real Sociedad were languishing just two points above the relegation zone.

The final got off to a sensational start when Sociedad netted the fastest-ever goal in a Copa del Rey final.

Ander Barrenetxea headed Goncalo Guedes' cross into the corner after just 14 seconds, stunning Diego Simeone's side.

Atletico, however, levelled through a low slotted strike from Ademola Lookman on 18 minutes.

Mikel Oyarzabal then restored Sociedad's lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, after goalkeeper Juan Musso caught Guedes as he went to punch the ball away.

Atletico carried much of the goal threat in the second half and were rewarded when Julian Alvarez fired a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty box into the top corner, making it 2-2.

Neither side could find a winner during a weary period of extra time, setting up a penalty shootout.

With Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez both missing from the spot for Atletico, Pablo Marin stepped up to smash home his kick and claim victory for the Basque side.

The 24-year-old Marrero, born in San Sebastian and raised at Real Sociedad, had put his boyhood club within that single shot of glory with his two saves.

"It's a moment to enjoy, to dream and to believe... the kid who dreamed of this... has done it," said Marrero after the game.

For Sociedad, it was a triumph that was similar to their 2020 Copa del Rey win, which had also been decided from the spot.

On that occasion, Oyarzabal had scored a penalty during the match; he did so again here, and three more teammates converted in the shootout to see the Basque side over the line.

For Atletico, ten-time winners of the competition and current Champions League semi-finalists, it was a painful defeat.

Captain Koke summed up the frustration in his post-match assessment: "We did everything we could, we had to row against the current from the start."