San Sebastián, Spain – In a match that swung wildly between dominance and despair, Real Sociedad ended Atlético Madrid’s Copa del Rey campaign with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory after a 1-1 draw at Anoeta Stadium, crushing Antoine Griezmann’s dream of winning Spain’s oldest cup competition with the club where he began his professional career.
The Basque side, buoyed by a raucous home crowd, forced extra time after conceding a late equalizer from Griezmann himself, only to hold their nerve from the spot when it mattered most. Atlético, despite controlling large stretches of the game, failed to convert their chances and paid the price in the shootout, where goalkeeper Unai Simón emerged as the hero with two crucial saves.
For Griezmann, the moment was deeply personal. Returning to Atlético in 2021 after a successful stint at Barcelona, the French forward has repeatedly spoken about his desire to win the Copa del Rey with the rojiblancos, a trophy that has eluded him since his breakthrough years at Real Sociedad. That dream now remains unfulfilled, at least for this season.
“It hurts,” Griezmann said in his post-match interview, his voice thick with emotion. “We had the chances to win it in regular time. We didn’t take them. And then in the shootout… it’s cruel. But we gave everything. Congratulations to Real Sociedad.”
The match began with Atlético asserting early dominance, their midfield trio of Koke, Rodrigo De Paul, and Axel Witsel dictating tempo. Griezmann drifted between the lines, looking to link play with Álvaro Morata and Memphis Depay, but Sociedad’s compact defensive shape, orchestrated by Robin Le Normand and Igor Zubeldia, limited clear-cut opportunities.
Real Sociedad grew into the game after the 25th minute, exploiting the space left by Atlético’s high defensive line. Brais Méndez and Mikel Oyarzabal combined down the left flank repeatedly, with Oyarzabal’s pace causing particular problems for Atlético right-back Nahuel Molina.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Oyarzabal received a pinpoint pass from Zubimendi, cut inside from the left, and fired a low shot past Jan Oblak at his near post. The Anoeta erupted, the goal a reward for Sociedad’s patient buildup and Atlético’s momentary lapse in concentration.
Atlético responded immediately after halftime, pushing forward with renewed urgency. Morata came close twice in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, first heading wide from a Koke corner, then forcing a sharp save from Simón after a De Paul through ball.
The equalizer arrived in the 79th minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Griezmann collected the ball just outside the Sociedad box, turned rapidly to evade Zubeldia’s challenge, and curled a sublime left-footed effort into the top corner — Oblak’s counterpart rooted to the spot. It was Griezmann’s 18th goal of the season across all competitions, a poignant reminder of his enduring quality.
As the clock ticked down, both teams pushed for a winner. Atlético had the better chances in extra time, with Depay striking the post in the 105th minute and Morata glancing a header just wide in the 118th. Sociedad, meanwhile, relied on counterattacks, with Oyarzabal and Sørloth testing Oblak late in the period.
The shootout began with Atlético’s first taker, Koke, sending his effort low to Simón’s left — the goalkeeper guessed correctly and pushed it away. Sociedad’s Mikel Merino stepped up coolly to place his penalty into the bottom corner.
Depay then restored parity for Atlético, driving his shot high into the net. Oyarzabal followed, placing his effort calmly to the opposite side. De Paul’s attempt was saved by Simón, diving low to his right — a pivotal moment that shifted momentum decisively.
Zubimendi converted for Sociedad, making it 2-1. Morata then kept Atlético alive with a powerful center-strike. Sørloth sealed the victory for Sociedad, slipping his penalty past Oblak to make it 4-2.
The victory advances Real Sociedad to the Copa del Rey semifinals, where they will face either Mallorca or Barcelona — the winner of that quarterfinal tie scheduled for later this week. Atlético, meanwhile, must now refocus entirely on La Liga and Champions League ambitions, their hopes of domestic silverware this season significantly diminished.
For Griezmann, the search for that elusive Copa del Rey medal continues. Having won the trophy in 2013 with Sociedad before his move to Atlético, he has now lost three Copa del Rey finals with the Madrid club (2016, 2019, 2020) and suffered this semifinal exit. At 33, time is not on his side, but his commitment to the cause remains unquestioned.
Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil praised his team’s resilience. “We knew it would be tough against a team like Atlético,” he said. “But we believed in our plan. The fans gave us energy. And when it came to penalties, we trusted our process. This is for them.”
The result adds another chapter to one of La Liga’s most compelling rivalries. While Atlético have historically held the upper hand in recent seasons, Sociedad’s victory underscores their growing status as a genuine cup contender under Alguacil’s steady leadership.
As the players exchanged jerseys at full time, Griezmann embraced Oyarzabal — a former teammate at Sociedad — a quiet moment of mutual respect amid the disappointment. The image captured the bittersweet nature of football: joy for one, heartbreak for another, both rooted in the same deep affection for the club that shaped them.
Atlético’s next match is a La Liga fixture away to Villarreal on [date to be confirmed], while Real Sociedad prepare to host Osasuna in their upcoming league encounter. Both teams know the Copa del Rey dream may be over for now, but the season remains long, and opportunities for redemption will come.
What did you think of the match? Did Griezmann deserve better? Or did Sociedad earn their victory fair and square? Share your thoughts below — and don’t forget to spread the word if this story brought you closer to the action.
