MADRID — In a Copa del Rey final defined by early drama and late heartbreak, Alexander Sørloth’s missed penalty proved the decisive moment as Atlético Madrid fell 1-0 to Real Sociedad at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville on April 6, 2024. The Norwegian striker, who had been Atlético’s leading scorer all season, saw his 78th-minute spot-kick saved by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro, preserving a lead the Basques had earned in the opening minutes through a lightning-fast goal from Mikel Oyarzabal.
The loss denied Atlético Madrid a chance to claim their first major trophy since winning La Liga in 2021 and left Sørloth facing intense scrutiny in the aftermath. For Real Sociedad, the victory marked their first Copa del Rey triumph since 1987, ending a 37-year wait for silverware and validating a season built on defensive resilience and tactical discipline under head coach Imanol Alguacil.
From the first whistle, the final unfolded with unexpected intensity. Just 32 seconds into the match, Oyarzabal received a long pass from Martín Zubimendi, turned inside Atlético defender César Azpilicueta, and fired a low shot past Jan Oblak into the bottom corner. The goal, confirmed by La Liga’s official match data as the fastest in Copa del Rey final history, shattered Atlético’s rhythm before they could settle.
Atlético responded with sustained pressure, dominating possession (61%) and creating 18 shots compared to Real Sociedad’s 8. Antoine Griezmann came closest to equalizing in the 22nd minute, curling a free-kick just wide of the far post, while Álvaro Morata had a header saved by Remiro in the 35th. Despite their control, Atlético struggled to break down a compact Real Sociedad defense that conceded just two shots on target all match.
The turning point arrived in the 78th minute when Atlético winger Samuel Lino was brought down by Zubimendi inside the box after a swift counterattack. Referee Jesús Gil Manzano pointed to the spot without hesitation, setting up Sørloth for what should have been a career-defining moment. The 28-year-old Norwegian, who had scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, stepped up calmly but sent his effort weakly to Remiro’s left. The goalkeeper, anticipating the direction, dove low and pushed the ball away with his right hand.
“I took responsibility for that penalty,” Sørloth said in his post-match press conference, his voice heavy with emotion. “I’ve taken penalties for club and country before, and I’ve scored them. Today, I didn’t execute. That’s on me. I let the team down, and I’m sorry.” His words echoed the sentiment in the Atlético dressing room, where head coach Diego Simeone later praised his player’s accountability while acknowledging the weight of the miss.
“Alexander is a leader in this squad,” Simeone said. “He wanted the ball, he stepped up, and he missed. That happens in football. What matters is how we respond. We gave ourselves chances to win this game, and we didn’t take them. Credit to Real Sociedad — they defended well and took their moment.”
For Real Sociedad, the victory was a culmination of a season-long transformation. After finishing sixth in La Liga, the Basques entered the Copa del Rey as underdogs but knocked out Sevilla, Villarreal, and Mallorca en route to the final. Their 1-0 win over Atlético marked just the second time they had defeated Diego Simeone’s side in their last 12 meetings across all competitions.
Oyarzabal, who scored the opening goal and was named man of the match, described the early strike as a product of preparation. “We studied Atlético’s tendencies,” he said. “We knew if we could press high and win the ball in their half, we could hurt them. Martín’s pass was perfect, and I just tried to stay calm.”
Remiro’s penalty save added to his growing reputation in high-stakes moments. The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who joined Real Sociedad from Athletic Bilbao in 2019, had previously saved penalties in Copa del Rey shootouts against Andorra and Cádiz. His performance in Seville earned praise from teammates and opponents alike.
“Alex was incredible today,” Oyarzabal said. “He commanded his box, made key saves, and then came up huge for the penalty. That’s the kind of performance that wins you trophies.”
The defeat leaves Atlético Madrid to refocus on La Liga, where they currently sit third, four points behind leaders Barcelona and two ahead of Girona in the race for Champions League qualification. Their next match is a home fixture against Rayo Vallecano on April 14. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will look to carry this momentum into their final La Liga games, aiming to secure a Europa League spot with a match against Valencia on April 13.
For Sørloth, the penalty miss will linger as a painful footnote in an otherwise strong individual season. Having joined Atlético from RB Leipzig in summer 2023 for a reported €32 million, he has adapted quickly to La Liga’s physicality and now faces the challenge of bouncing back from this moment. His response in the coming weeks could define how he is remembered during his time at the Wanda Metropolitano.
As the Real Sociedad players celebrated with their fans beneath the Seville sky, confetti falling over a pitch where history had been made, the contrast was stark. One team had seized its moment; the other had seen it slip away — all because of a single kick, saved, and a season’s worth of effort left unfulfilled.
What’s next for both sides? Atlético Madrid travel to face Rayo Vallecano on April 14 at 9:00 p.m. Local time (8:00 p.m. UTC), while Real Sociedad host Valencia on April 13 at 6:15 p.m. Local time (5:15 p.m. UTC). Fans can follow live updates through the official La Liga app or the clubs’ websites.
If you’ve followed this match and have thoughts on what happened — or what it means for the rest of the season — share them in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going.
