Copa del Rey Final Preview: Atlético Madrid vs. Real Sociedad | OneFootball

This Saturday promises to be one of the most exciting fixtures on the Spanish soccer calendar. The monumental Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville will become the epicenter of the Spanish cup final as Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad collide in the 2025/26 Copa del Rey final.

Atlético Madrid, marching under the leadership of Diego Simeone in one of their best seasons ever, are looking to claim their 11th domestic cup and their first since 2013.

Standing in their way is a revitalized Real Sociedad under Pellegrino Matarazzo, a proud Basque institution hunting for their fourth Copa del Rey crown and their first since the delayed 2020 final.

Here is the comprehensive preview of how they got here, where the game will be won or lost, and what history tells us about this fascinating matchup.

The Route to the Copa del Rey Final

Atlético Madrid

Atlético’s early rounds were tricky. They started off their journey to the Copa del Rey final in the Round of 32, since they qualified for the Spanish Super Cup this season and were exempted from playing the early rounds of the tournament. A narrow 3-2 away win against Atlético Baleares in the Round of 32 was followed by a tight 1-0 victory against Deportivo La Coruña. They then did much better in the quarterfinals, dismantling Real Betis 5-0 away from home to send a message that they were taking this trophy seriously.

But it was the semifinal against defending champions Barcelona that will go down in Copa del Rey folklore. In the first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Atlético unleashed a performance like never before, suffocating Barca and punishing them to secure an unbelievable 4-0 victory. The tie seemed dead and buried. Yet, in the return leg, Barcelona launched a terrifying comeback, winning 3-0. Simeone’s men spent the final 20 minutes clinging to their aggregate lead by their fingernails, ultimately surviving 4-3 to book their ticket to the Copa Del Rey Final.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad’s path was also dramatic. After edging past Eldense 2-1, they survived a massive scare in the Round of 16 against Osasuna. Tied 2-2 after extra time, La Real required a nerve-wracking 4-3 penalty shootout victory at home to advance. A 3-2 away win against Alavés in the quarterfinals set up the ultimate semifinal: a Basque Derby against Athletic Club.

In a tie overflowing with regional pride, Matarazzo’s men were flawless. They went to San Mamés and secured a 1-0 away win, silencing the Bilbao crowd. In the return leg at the Reale Arena, they repeated the trick, winning 1-0 to seal a 2-0 aggregate victory to book their ticket to the Copa del Rey final.

The Numbers Before the Copa Del Rey Final

Atletico Madrid are coming into this tie unbeaten in their last 10 games against Real Sociedad. In the tournament, both teams have scored 13 and 8 goals respectively on their way to the Copa Del Rey Final. Defensively, both teams have been solid, conceding 5 goals each.

Real Sociedad’s Goncalo Guedes is the top assist provider in the tournament, with 3. Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann, who has 5 goals, is the second-highest scorer in the tournament behind Raul Garcia. Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad have faced off 34 times in recent years. Atlético Madrid won 21, Real Sociedad 6, and there have been 7 draws.

In all competitions, Atletico Madrid have only one win in their last six games. They have scored 9 goals in that run and conceded a staggering 12. Real Sociedad, in that same time, have only lost twice. Once to Villarreal and once to their final opponents Atletico Madrid. Atleti are 4th in La Liga and have all but secured top four, and with the league title out of the picture, their focus is fully on resting players in La Liga and going all out in the cup competitions. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, sit 7th in the league, 2 and 4 points respectively behind a Conference League and a Europa League spot. They will go all out in this final for sure, as winning this trophy will ensure automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League for next season at least.

The Griezmann Story

The scriptwriters have outdone themselves for Saturday night. For 35-year-old Antoine Griezmann, La Cartuja will serve as the stage for an emotionally charged farewell of sorts. After spending the entirety of his career in Spain, Griezmann will leave Atlético Madrid at the end of the season to join MLS outfit Orlando City SC. But before he trades Madrid for Florida, there is unfinished business. Griezmann is Atlético’s all-time record goalscorer, with over 200 goals to his name across two spectacular stints. Fresh off helping Atlético navigate past Barcelona to reach their first Champions League semifinal in nine years earlier this week, the Frenchman spoke of a “dream farewell.”

The beauty of the story lies in the opposition. Real Sociedad is Griezmann’s boyhood club, the team that brought him to Spain as a teenager and handed him his professional debut. To lift his first domestic cup with his final team in Spain, he must break the hearts of the fans who first sang his name.

The Ex-Factor: Alexander Sørloth

While Griezmann’s farewell steals the headlines, the presence of Alexander Sørloth is equally compelling.

The Norwegian striker, who previously led the line for Real Sociedad, has been immense for Atlético this season, netting 17 goals. His towering physical presence will test a La Real defense that has been nearly impenetrable in the cup. Add in the creative spark of young Giuliano Simeone and the pace of Ademola Lookman, and Atlético’s frontline is terrifying.

Real Sociedad replaced Alexander Sørloth with Orri Oskarsson, and the Icelandic forward has become a fan favorite among the La Real faithful. He’s scored 5 goals this season and every time he appears or is substituted off the pitch, Real Sociedad fans break into a chant of “por la mañana café, por la tarde ron, llévame a Sevilla Orri Oskarsson,” (coffee in the morning, rum in the evening, take me to Seville, Orri Oskarsson) inspired by the Bad Bunny song “CAFÉ CON RON.” He’s won the fans over quite quickly, and delivering the fourth Copa del Rey in the club’s history will establish his legend.

Team News and Prediction

For Atleti, Pablo Barrios, David Hancko and Jose Maria Gimenez remain out injured. Although Jan Oblak has recently recovered, cup goalkeeper Juan Musso is expected to retain his place.

For La Real, Álvaro Odriozola is out for the rest of the season, while youngster Jon Gorrotxategi also misses out due to a muscle injury.

Finals at La Cartuja are rarely open, expansive affairs. The stakes are simply too high. I see it going to penalties after a 2-2 finish in 90 minutes. How iconic would it be if Antoine Griezmann scores the winning penalty. One can only dream.