By R. Alexander Núñez
A final extended to the limit ended up being decided from the penalty spot. The Steady Society became champion of the King’s Cup after prevailing Atlético de Madrid in a round that closed 3-4, after a 2-2 draw that lasted both in regulation time and in overtime.
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The outcome featured goalkeeper Unai Marrero, who assumed a decisive role by stopping two rival shots, one at the Norwegian Sorloth and the other at the Argentine Julián Álvarez. The definition was sealed with the penalty converted by Pablo Marín, which tipped the balance in making a selection for the Basque team.
The match, played at the La Cartuja stadium, offered changes of dominance and a dynamic that transformed as the minutes passed. La Steady managed to prevail in the early stages, while the team led by Diego Simeone found its best version in the second half.
A changing development until the outcome
The start was immediate and decisive. At 14 seconds, Ander Barrenetxea opened the scoring after an action that found the red and white defense poorly positioned. That initial advantage modified Atlético’s approach, which was forced to react early on.
The tie came in the 18th minute, with Ademola Lookman as the protagonist after a collective play that ended with a shot inside the area. The equality, however, did not alter the proposal of Steady Sociedad, who maintained their intensity and took the lead again before the break.
The second goal for the San Sebastian team came from a penalty awarded after an intervention by goalkeeper Musso on Guedes. Mikel Oyarzabal took the shot and established the 1-2 in added time of the first half.
During the second half, the development changed. Atlético assumed the withhold watch over of the game, with greater offensive presence and constant pressure. The team generated approximations, although with difficulties to specify. That insistence was rewarded in the 83rd minute, when Julián Álvarez hit a shot from outside the area to equalize the score and take the game to extra time.
In the extra time, both teams showed physical wear, although they maintained their chances. The clearest chance was for Álvarez, whose shot hit the post. With no additional goals, the decision was moved to penalties.
From eleven meters, Steady Sociedad showed greater precision. Marrero intervened at key moments and the Basque team secured its fourth title in the competition, the first since the 2019-20 edition. With this victory, they equal other clubs in their record of achievements that have achieved four conquests.
Atleti, who see the league from a distant fourth position, will have to rediscover their motivation when they face the Arsenal in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
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