\n
SEVILLE, Spain (AP) \u2014 Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid in a shootout on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey title and give American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo his first career title since moving to Spain this season.<\/p>\n
The match ended 2-2 after extra time, but Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero saved shots from Alexander Sorloth and Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, and Pablo Mar\u00edn converted the final kick to win the shootout 4-3.<\/p>\n
“It’s been an incredible journey, and my feeling is that this may just be the beginning,” said Matarazzo, 48. “You imagine success and you believe in your players, but you don’t feel it until you cross the line. With that penalty, it took us a little while to realize that, but it was pure joy for the players and the staff.”<\/p>\n
Sociedad needed just three players to touch the ball just 14 seconds after kick-off before Ander Barrenetxea took the lead.<\/p>\n
Diego Simeone’s side equalized in the 19th minute through Ademola Lookman, but goalkeeper Juan Musso’s penalty and Mikel Oyarzabal restored Sociedad’s advantage in first-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n
In the 83rd minute, Alvarez made it 2-2 with a shot into the right corner.<\/p>\n
New Jersey-born Matarazzo took over in December at Sociedad, which were two points above the relegation zone in the Spanish league. Four months later, the Basque club won the cup and moved into the top half of the La Liga standings.<\/p>\n
Atl\u00e9tico will now turn their focus to the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal later this month.<\/p>\n
“We fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 and had chances to win. I can only congratulate our rivals who were more harsh in the important moments,” Simeone said. He was on all fours with his head momentarily pressed against the turf after a close-range mistake by Alex Baena in the dying seconds of the match.<\/p>\n
Fastest goal in a cup final<\/h2>\n
According to Opta Statistics, Barenetsea’s goal was the fastest ever in a Spanish Cup final.<\/p>\n
The opening goal against Atl\u00e9tico’s vaunted defense was very simple. The ball reached the goalkeeper, a long ball reached the right side, Gonzalo Guedes sent a free cross, and Ander Barrenetxea headed it in.<\/p>\n
This turn of events exposed a series of less-than-ideal defenses. Neither Nahuel Molina nor Giuliano Simeone intercepted a reachable ball. Matteo Ruggieri put a header over the short Barrenetzea. And goalkeeper Juan Musso could have been more agile to prevent the shot from bouncing.<\/p>\n
Lookman once again proved to be the Spanish team’s most impactful signing of the winter – his goal was his seventh for Atl\u00e9tico – when the former Atalanta forward received a pass from Antoine Griezmann inside the area and fired inside the post with his left foot.<\/p>\n
Oyarzabal pounced on the spot after Musso was slammed by Guedes when he contested a high ball inside the box. Oyarzabal lived up to his reputation as a penalty expert and scored a try. The Spanish striker also scored the only goal in the 2020 Cup final against Athletic Bilbao, converting a penalty.<\/p>\n
With Sociedad in control and minutes away from the title, Atl\u00e9tico finally made some good moves as a team, destabilizing Sociedad’s defense for the first time and setting up Alvarez in the second half.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper shines late<\/h2>\n
Musso made up for his earlier mistake with a series of saves in extra time. Alvarez then hit a woodwork shot on his 100th shot and came close to the winning goal.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, Atl\u00e9tico created several chances but were unable to finish them and were unable to score the title-clinching goal.<\/p>\n
Then it was Marrero’s turn to shine. Marin correctly predicted the first two penalties by the Atl\u00e9tico striker and fired into the top corner.<\/p>\n
“I knew that if it came down to penalties, I would believe in myself, my teammates would believe in me, and the fans would believe in me,” Marrero, 24, said before the winner was presented with the trophy and medal by Spain’s King Felipe VI.<\/p>\n
“I still can’t believe it,” Marrero said. \u201cA boy who dreamed of this since he was a child has made his dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Griezmann needs to help Atletico beat Arsenal in the European semi-finals for a new chance to end his final season in Spain with a title before the club’s all-time leading scorer joins MLS side Orlando City next season.<\/p>\n
“We want to win the Champions League,” said Atletico veteran midfielder Koke Lesurreci\u00f3n. “But tonight is a tough night. We will have time to think about the Champions League.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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