Copa del Rey final: Sociedad triumph despite Lookman’s brilliance

By Lawrence Agbo

Real Sociedad emerged Copa del Rey champions after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid, sealing the title despite a standout performance from Ademola Lookman.

The final, played at Estadio de La Cartuja, ended 2-2 after extra time following a fiercely contested encounter. Sociedad took an early lead through Ander Barrenetxea, but Lookman responded in the 18th minute with a fine strike from the edge of the box to level for Atletico.

Sociedad regained control just before the break, as Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot. Atletico pushed hard in the second half and found an equaliser late on, with Julian Alvarez unleashing a superb long-range effort in the 83rd minute to force extra time.

Both sides had chances in the additional period but failed to find a decisive goal, sending the match into penalties. In the shootout, Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero proved decisive, denying Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth to give his side the advantage.

Pablo Marin calmly converted the winning spot-kick, securing a 4-3 shootout victory and handing Sociedad the Copa del Rey title.

Despite an impressive display in the Copa del Rey and a crucial goal by Ademola Lookman, Atletico Madrid were left to rue missed opportunities and costly errors from the spot as Sociedad held their nerve to claim the trophy.