The 2026 Copa del Rey final delivered a classic, as Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad battled into extra time with the score locked at 2-2 after a dramatic 90 minutes. Real Sociedad, seeking their first Copa title since the pandemic-disrupted 2020 final, stormed into an early lead with Ander Barrenetxea scoring inside the first minute. Atletico's Ademola Lookman leveled the score in the 19th minute, but La Real captain Mikel Oyarzabal restored the lead from the penalty spot just before halftime.

Despite dominating possession, Atletico struggled to break down a resilient Sociedad defense for much of the second half. The match seemed destined for a narrow Real Sociedad victory until a moment of magic from Julian Álvarez in the 85th minute. The Argentine forward produced an exquisite piece of skill to create space before firing home a stunning equalizer, sending the Atletico supporters into raptures and forcing an additional 30 minutes.

This final represented a significant opportunity for both clubs, with Atletico Madrid not having lifted the famous trophy since 2013 and Real Sociedad looking to add to their sole modern-era triumph. With Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid eliminated earlier in the competition, the stage was set for a historic night in Seville, proving once again why the Copa del Rey remains Spain's most prestigious and unpredictable knockout tournament.