Gonçalo Guedes Wins Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad 2026

Real Sociedad has lifted the Copa del Rey for the fourth time in the club's history, defeating Atlético Madrid 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal and extra time at Seville's Estadio de La Cartuja. The victory delivers a major trophy to the Basque club and marks a personal milestone for Portuguese international Gonçalo Guedes, who played a pivotal role in the final and now holds two Copa del Rey winner's medals.

Why This Matters

• Portuguese success abroad: Guedes becomes one of the few Portugal internationals with multiple Copa del Rey titles, underlining the continued export of talent from Portuguese football academies.

• Record-breaking start: The final featured the fastest goal in Copa del Rey final history—just 14 seconds—set up by Guedes' pinpoint assist.

• Strategic validation: Real Sociedad's triumph over Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid demonstrates the effectiveness of high-pressing tactics against one of Europe's most defensively disciplined sides.

• Drought ended: Real Sociedad had not won the Copa del Rey since the 2019/20 season, while Atlético Madrid's trophy drought extends to almost five years.

Guedes: The Architect of Victory

The 26-year-old winger, who joined Real Sociedad from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2025 on a deal running until 2028, delivered one of the standout performances of his career. Within the opening 15 seconds, Guedes received a long clearance from goalkeeper Unai Marrero, surveyed the field, and delivered a millimetre-perfect cross to Ander Barrenetxea, who headed home to stun Atlético and set a Copa del Rey final record.

Guedes continued to justify his starting role throughout the first half. He fired a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target, forced a save with a header following a goalkeeper error, and then drew the foul that changed the match. In the 43rd minute, Juan Musso brought down the Portuguese forward inside the box, and referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Captain Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty to restore Real Sociedad's lead at 2-1 heading into halftime.

His defensive contribution proved equally valuable. As Simeone introduced Alexander Sørloth—a towering forward notorious for tormenting opposition defences—in the 63rd minute, Guedes dropped deep to support the right flank, helping neutralize Atlético's crossing threat. He was substituted in the 78th minute, moments before the match's momentum shifted decisively.

A Final of Two Halves and Tactical Shifts

Real Sociedad entered the final with a reputation for aggressive, high-intensity pressing and tactical flexibility. Under the influence of Imanol Alguacil's philosophy, the club operates in a 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing compact defensive blocks and man-marking in midfield. However, recent defensive fragility—10 goals conceded in five matches leading up to the final—raised concerns about their ability to withstand Atlético's counter-attacking prowess.

Those fears materialized in the 19th minute when Ademola Lookman equalized for Atlético after a broken play involving Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez. The Argentine forward continued to threaten, firing a dangerous long-range effort in the 64th minute that Marrero held confidently.

Atlético's equalizer in the 83rd minute—a spectacular strike from Julián Álvarez outside the box—forced extra time. Neither side managed to break the deadlock across the additional 30 minutes, with fatigue and tactical discipline limiting clear chances. Substitute Orri Óskarsson squandered Real Sociedad's best opportunity, firing weakly when well-positioned in front of goal.

Penalty Drama and Marrero's Heroics

The shootout proved decisive. Unai Marrero, Real Sociedad's goalkeeper, became the match hero by saving penalties from both Sørloth and Álvarez. Real Sociedad converted four of their five attempts—despite Óskarsson missing—to secure the trophy.

The victory marks Real Sociedad's first Copa del Rey triumph since defeating Athletic Bilbao in the 2019/20 final, a campaign delayed by the pandemic. The Basque club now joins an elite group with four titles, trailing only Barcelona (32), Athletic Bilbao (24), Real Madrid (20), and Atlético Madrid (10).

What This Means for Portuguese Football

Gonçalo Guedes' success reinforces the value and versatility of Portugal's footballing exports. Trained at Benfica's academy, Guedes previously won the Copa del Rey with Valencia in 2019, defeating Barcelona 2-1. One month after that triumph, he scored the decisive goal for Portugal in the inaugural UEFA Nations League final against the Netherlands in Porto—a strike that remains one of the defining moments of his international career.

Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), issued a congratulatory statement recognizing Guedes' achievement. "Congratulations to Gonçalo Guedes on winning the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad. On behalf of the FPF, we celebrate our international player representing Portuguese football in such a prestigious competition, rewarding a great campaign," Proença said in a message published on the federation's official website.

Guedes holds 32 caps and 7 goals for Portugal's national team. His debut came against Russia in November 2015, and his first international goal followed against Saudi Arabia in 2017. His performances this season—8 goals and 4 assists in 31 La Liga matches, accumulating over 1,800 minutes—suggest he remains a strong candidate for future squad selections.

Atlético's Wait Continues

For Atlético Madrid, the defeat extends a frustrating period without silverware. The club last won the Copa del Rey in the 2012/13 season and has not claimed any major trophy in nearly five years. Despite Diego Simeone's tactical flexibility—recently experimenting with a 3-5-2 formation and more offensive wing overloads—his side could not overcome Real Sociedad's resilience or Marrero's penalty-saving prowess.

Griezmann and Álvarez combined effectively during the match, but Simeone's substitutions, including the introduction of Sørloth, failed to deliver the decisive edge. Atlético remains a formidable force in Spanish football, but the wait for another Copa del Rey title continues.

Historical Context and Competitive Landscape

Real Sociedad's victory continues the club's tradition of producing memorable Copa del Rey campaigns. Their previous titles came in 1909, 1986/87, and 2019/20, with the latest success ending a six-year gap. The club has historically thrived in knockout competitions, often punching above its weight against Spain's traditional giants.

Barcelona, the competition's record holder with 32 titles, was the defending champion entering the 2025/26 season. Real Sociedad's triumph disrupts the dominance of Spain's largest clubs and offers a blueprint for mid-tier teams capable of executing disciplined, high-energy football over knockout rounds.

Looking Ahead

For Gonçalo Guedes, the Copa del Rey triumph validates his decision to move to San Sebastián and offers a platform for continued growth. His contract with Real Sociedad runs through 2028, with an optional one-year extension. At 26, he enters the peak years of his career with renewed confidence and the backing of a club that values technical skill and tactical intelligence.

For Real Sociedad, the victory provides a springboard for future campaigns, both domestically and in European competition. The club's ability to execute high-pressing tactics against elite opposition—particularly a side coached by Simeone—demonstrates a level of maturity and tactical sophistication that bodes well for sustained success.

Atlético Madrid will regroup, but the pressure intensifies on Simeone and his squad to deliver silverware. Meanwhile, Portuguese football celebrates another chapter in its ongoing story of international success, with Guedes joining a long list of national team players who have conquered Spanish football's most storied knockout competition.