Ademola Lookman found the net for Atlético Madrid, but it wasn’t enough to stop a painful defeat as they lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad 4–3 on penalties.
Just like their 1987 final clash, the encounter ended 2–2 in regulation time and remained deadlocked after extra time before being decided from the spot at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
The Nigerian forward, who joined Atlético in January, had hoped to become only the second Nigerian to lift the trophy. Instead, he joins the list of compatriots who have finished as runners-up.
Real Sociedad made a blistering start, taking the lead just 15 seconds in through Ander Barrenetxea, whose header became the fastest goal in the competition’s history. Lookman responded with a composed low finish to level the score, becoming only the second Nigerian to score in a Copa del Rey final, alongside George Finidi.
Mikel Oyarzabal restored Sociedad’s advantage from the penalty spot, but Julián Álvarez struck brilliantly to force extra time and eventually penalties.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Álex Remiro emerged as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to seal the victory. The win marks Real Sociedad’s sixth Copa del Rey title and their first in six years, while head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made history as the first American to win a major European trophy.
Atlético will now shift focus to the UEFA Champions League, where Diego Simeone and his side face Arsenal in the semi-finals, hoping to keep their European dream alive.