Real Sociedad touches the sky and defeats Athletic in the Copa final

BarcelonaThe north of Seville became for a few hours a part of Gipuzkoa. Real Sociedad won their fourth Copa del Rey at the La Cartuja stadium, after beating Atlètic de Madrid in a penalty shootout after a match that ended in a two-goal draw. Simeone's team, defeated, will now focus on trying to win the Champions League for the first time after falling against the Basques, who repeat the success of the 2021 Copa final in the same venue, although then they did it without fans as it was during the pandemic. On this occasion, the loyal followers of the Txuri-Urdin team were able to witness it live.

A second title in just five years that rewards the good management of president Jokin Aperribay, who has bet on homegrown players, strengthening the team with quality foreigners. In the final, the two goals were scored by players trained at the Zubieta school, Barrenetxea and captain Oyarzabal.

The final arrived after a long day in Seville marked by the heat, the presence of thousands of fans without tickets from both teams, and a major effort by the National Police to prevent disturbances, as the relationship between the two fan bases is very poor, especially since 1998, when a group of fascist radicals from Atlètic murdered Real fan Aitor Zabaleta in Madrid. A giant image of Zabaleta presided over the goal where the Basque fans gathered, who booed the Spanish anthem before the final.

An early goal

And when someone was still whistling, they started to shout with joy, as at 14 seconds of play Barrenetxea already scored the first goal, taking advantage of a defensive mistake by Madrid. The Basque forward jumped higher than his former teammate Robin Le Normand, surpassing the Argentine Musso. It was the fastest goal in the history of Copa finals, surpassing that of Badenes, from Valencia, in the 1952 final that Barça won 4-2 against the Valencians. Atlético seemed stunned, but they started to get into the game and before the half-hour mark Ademola Lookman conjured up a beautiful goal to equalize the final. Before halftime, a wild exit by goalkeeper Musso trying to clear the ball hit the head of the Portuguese Guedes, resulting in a penalty. Oyarzabal, a specialist in penalties, like the one that had decided the 2021 final, did not miss.

After halftime, Atlético took the lead in the match. And when it seemed they wouldn't manage to equalize, Julián Álvarez conjured up a beautiful goal that forced extra time. But Real managed to resist in extra time, reaching heaven in the penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Unai Marrero shone. In the end, Simeone was a victim of Pellegrino Matarazzo's talent, who made history. Never before had a coach from the United States won the Cup. Matarazzo, who arrived mid-season when Real seemed rudderless, has given the team order, has rallied them, and now gives them a Cup. And he ended up celebrating big with players and fans. And all this, under the gaze of the banner with Aitor Zabaleta's face.e