[Copa del Rey Champions] Real Sociedad Defeat Atletico in Penalty Shootout! A '39-Year Echo' and the Joy of Returning Takefusa Kubo
Real Sociedad claimed their 4th Copa del Rey title in 6 years, defeating Atletico Madrid 2-2 (4-3 on penalties) in the 2025-26 final. A recap of every goal, Sociedad's full tournament run, and the contribution of injury-returnee Takefusa Kubo in a match where they defended deep in the second half before winning the shootout.
In the Copa del Rey 2025-26 Final held on April 18, 2026 at "La Cartuja" in Seville, Real Sociedad drew 2-2 with Atlético Madrid and won on penalties 4-3, claiming the title. It was their 4th Copa del Rey title overall and first in six years since 2019-20. After holding firm defensively in the second half, substitute goalkeeper Unai Marrero made two crucial saves in the shootout. Takefusa Kubo, returning from injury, was also brought on just before additional time, adding a flourish to his first career major title.
local_fire_department Final Highlights — A Goalfest Settled by Penalties
Just one minute in, Sociedad broke the deadlock. Ander Barrenetxea found the net from a move down the left side to make it 0-1. However, around the 20th minute, a sharp counter from Ademola Lookman levelled things at 1-1. Just before half-time, Sociedad won a penalty and captain Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted to restore the lead at 1-2 going into the break.
In the second half, under intense pressure from Atlético, Sociedad gradually dropped their defensive line and shifted to a low block, time-wasting tactic. Despite their resilience, they conceded an equaliser to Julián Álvarez in the 84th minute to make it 2-2. Extra time produced few clear-cut chances for either side, and the match went to a penalty shootout.
sports_soccer Final — All Goals
| Time | Scorer | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1' | A. Barrenetxea (Sociedad) | 0-1 | Lightning-fast opener |
| ~20' | A. Lookman (Atlético) | 1-1 | Atlético hit back |
| 45' | M. Oyarzabal (Sociedad) | 1-2 | Composed penalty to retake the lead |
| 84' | J. Álvarez (Atlético) | 2-2 | Sending the match to extra time |
| ET | — | 2-2 | To penalties |
star The Penalty Shootout — Substitute GK Marrero Becomes the Hero
In the shootout immediately after extra time, Sociedad's Carlos Soler, Luka Sučić, and Aihen Muñoz all converted. Atlético matched them through Nico González, Armada, and Baena, keeping things level — until Alexander Sørloth struck down the middle with his fourth kick and was denied by the goalkeeper, decisively swinging momentum in Sociedad's favour. Although Oli Oskarsson missed Sociedad's third kick, Pablo Marín stepped up fifth and slotted home the winning penalty to seal a 4-3 victory. On Atlético's side, even Álvarez failed to convert, meaning substitute GK Unai Marrero saved two kicks in total, making him the undisputed hero of the match.
| Order | Real Sociedad | Atlético Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | star C. Soler (scored) | star N. González (scored) |
| 2 | star L. Sučić (scored) | star T. Armada (scored) |
| 3 | arrow_forward O. Oskarsson (missed) | arrow_forward A. Sørloth (saved) |
| 4 | star A. Muñoz (scored) | star A. Baena (scored) |
| 5 | local_fire_department P. Marín (scored – winning kick) | arrow_forward J. Álvarez (saved) |
menu_book Real Sociedad's Full Road to the Copa del Rey 2025-26 Title
Sociedad went through the entire competition unbeaten from their opening match in October, turning what had been a difficult league campaign into a cup triumph — a remarkable turnaround from a double slump.
| Round | Opponent | Result | Key Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | SD Negreria | W 3-0 | M. Goti, A. Zakharian, B. Turrientes |
| Round 2 | Reus FCR | W 2-0 | M. Goti, U. Sadiq (pen) |
| R16 | Osasuna | W (pens) | Decided on penalties |
| Quarter-final | Lower-division club | W | Advanced while resting key players |
| Semi-final (agg.) | Athletic Club | W 2-0 | M. Oyarzabal (late pen in 2nd leg) |
| Final | Atlético Madrid | W 2-2 (4-3 pens) | A. Barrenetxea, M. Oyarzabal (pen) |
A defining feature of their run was set-piece quality and late-game decisiveness. In the semi-final — a Basque derby — Oyarzabal scored a dramatic penalty to send the team to the final, and his penalty in the final itself once again underlined the captain's ability to deliver when it matters most.
favorite Takefusa Kubo — Comeback from Injury, and a First Career Major Title
Central to any account of Kubo's contribution to this campaign is the left thigh injury sustained against Barcelona on January 18, which forced him off on a stretcher. He missed approximately three months and 11 matches through the serious injury, and had been absent from the squad from the quarter-finals onwards.
In early April, just before the final, he returned to team training and was named on the bench. Manager Imanol Alguacil, mindful of his recovery, opted to keep him as a substitute starter for the final — but with the score at 2-2 in the 89th minute, he sent Kubo on in place of Sergio Gómez, ensuring he was on the pitch to experience the moment of glory through extra time and the penalty shootout.
2025-26 season totals: 20 appearances in all competitions, 2 goals, 3 assists. The lengthy spell on the sidelines kept his goal involvements modest, but he remained a key figure in every match he played — including assisting the match-winning corner kick in the La Liga Matchday 19 clash against Getafe in January.
His first major title as a professional. The joy of overcoming injury could not come at a better time for Kubo as he heads into a World Cup year.
info History Repeating — An Echo From 39 Years Ago
Real Sociedad's Copa del Rey triumph is their 4th title overall, following victories in 1909 (under their predecessor club), 1987, and the 2019-20 season. Most noteworthy of all is that their 1987 triumph also came against Atlético Madrid, won on penalties 4-2 after a 2-2 draw. Thirty-nine years on, the same opponents, the same 2-2 scoreline, and another penalty shootout victory — an outcome that felt like history being lived all over again.
| Year | Opponent | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | Club Español de Madrid | 3-1 | Won as CC San Sebastián (predecessor club) |
| 1987 | Atlético Madrid | 2-2 (4-2 pens) | Held at La Romareda, Zaragoza |
| 2019-20 | Athletic Club | 1-0 | Oyarzabal pen / first all-Basque final |
| 2025-26 | Atlético Madrid | 2-2 (4-3 pens) | Title reclaimed against the same opponents after 39 years |
calendar_month Key Information
- Date: April 18, 2026 (early morning of April 19, Japan time)
- Venue: Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville
- Next up: Sociedad have secured a UEFA Europa League spot for next season
- Related articles: article News list / article Tournament calendar
The Copa del Rey title is an enormously meaningful honour — for Kubo heading into a WC 2026 year, and for Real Sociedad alike. The entire squad dug in through the hard stretches, before ultimately entrusting the moment to their captain and an unlikely hero in substitute GK Marrero. It was an ending befitting the pride of the Basque Country, as Sociedad march forward once more onto the European stage.