Copa del Rey

Atlético de Madrid vs Real Sociedad: the final battle for the crown

The final, kicking off at 21:00 at La Cartuja Stadium, will be broadcast on La 1 (TVE), Movistar Plus, and—for the first time—on YouTube via Ibai Llanos’ channel.

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Sat, 18/04/2026 - 11:10

Under the glow of a night destined to be remembered, Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad meet to write a new chapter in Copa del Rey history. This isn’t just a match—it’s a clash of identity, pride, and legacy, where every duel matters and every play could tip the balance forever.

Adding to the moment, the official match ball—named Horizonte—makes its debut, symbolizing a game that looks ahead to a new era where tradition meets innovation. Referee Javier Alberola Rojas will also debut the RefCam in Spain, an innovative technology promoted by RFEF and LaLiga, offering a unique, first-person view from the referee’s perspective.

The history between these two sides in the Copa stretches back over a century, though they’ve only met once in a final—back in 1987, when Real Sociedad lifted the trophy on penalties. Now, nearly four decades later, they meet again—this time with a packed stadium, unlike the pandemic-era final won by La Real in 2021.

Both teams arrive in Seville after navigating every round with defensive solidity—each has recorded more clean sheets than games conceding goals. Offensively, the goals have been shared too: six different scorers for Atlético, nine for Real Sociedad in this Copa run.

Pellegrino Matarazzo—alongside his staff Sergio Francisco and Ion Ansotegi—has guided La Real past SD Negreira, Reus FC Reddis, CD Eldense, CA Osasuna, Deportivo Alavés, and Athletic Club. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s Atlético return to the final after 13 years, having eliminated Atlético Baleares, RC Deportivo, Real Betis, and defending champions FC Barcelona.

In the build-up, Simeone and Antoine Griezmann urged calm despite the magnitude of the moment—balancing a Champions League semi-final with the chance to win an 11th Copa title. On the other side, Matarazzo and Mikel Oyarzabal spoke about the excitement of fans finally being able to experience a final in person after missing out in 2020.

With the magic of Seville, the color of both fanbases, the quality on the pitch, and the prestige of the Copa del Rey, everything is set for another unforgettable night—one that will crown a new champion under a brand new Horizonte.