Pablo Marín’s nerve delivers La Real’s fourth Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Pablo Marín, 22, struck the decisive penalty to hand La Real a fourth Copa del Rey.

According to Diario Vasco, his name now sits alongside Zamora in Gijón, Arconada’s stop from Quique Ramos in Zaragoza and Oyarzabal’s strike against Athletic in 2021. Marrero’s two saves in the shootout were crucial, but it was the Riojan who settled it.

Marrero denied Atlético twice early on, yet Nico González, Almada and Baena converted their last three. With Óskarsson missing La Real’s second, parity at the end would have been a psychological blow. Marín faced a simple equation, score to be champions or start again.

He accepted the responsibility with calm authority. He admitted nerves before the shootout, but at the spot he was composed, lifting his kick beyond Musso, who guessed correctly but could not reach for power and placement.

La Cartuja erupted among 30,000 Real supporters. Marín spoke of his joy at sharing the moment with these fans and this club, which he described as the best.

He follows fellow Riojan Javier Zubillaga, a cup winner in 1987, though a shoulder injury in the semi-final against Athletic kept Zubillaga out at La Romareda. The club’s faith in Riojan talent has been evident, with Borja Viguera, Toño Ramírez, Rubén Pardo and Pablo Hervías among those to pass through.

Marín’s father Fernando played in Primera with Logroñés, later in Segunda B when Pablo was born. Raised beside Las Gaunas, he came through EDF Logroño via school links, moving from futsal to seven-a-side, then full pitch. After Javier Valgañón invited him to a Vitoria tournament, Zubieta coaches signed him in his final infantil year. A decade on, he made La Real champions on Saturday.

Source: Diario Vasco