Ademola Lookman once again showed his big-match quality, finding the net for Atlético Madrid in a tense Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.
Despite his impact, Atlético Madrid fell short in a dramatic contest decided on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
The Nigerian forward delivered when it mattered, but it was not enough to stop Diego Simeone’s side from suffering a painful defeat.
Ademola Lookman delivers again in Copa del Rey final drama
Lookman needed just 18 minutes of reaction after Real Sociedad’s shock early goal to bring Atlético Madrid level.
Ander Barrenetxea had given Sociedad a dream start with a header almost straight from kickoff, but Lookman responded quickly inside the box with a calm low finish to restore balance.
Coming into the final, Lookman had already impressed in the competition with consistent attacking contributions. His equaliser kept Atlético Madrid in the game during a high-pressure first half filled with end-to-end moments.
Mikel Oyarzabal later restored Sociedad’s lead from the penalty spot after a foul by Juan Musso, giving the Basque side a 2-1 advantage before halftime.
Diego Simeone’s Atlético collapse despite late fightback
The match remained intense in the second half as Atlético Madrid pushed forward under Diego Simeone.
Their persistence paid off when Julián Álvarez struck a late equaliser, sending the final into extra time after a 2-2 draw.
Despite strong spells of pressure, Atlético Madrid could not find a winner. Álex Baena missed a key chance, while Álvarez also struck the woodwork during extra time.
The inability to convert chances proved costly as Real Sociedad stayed organised under pressure.
In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Unai Marrero became the decisive figure, saving back-to-back spot kicks from Alexander Sørloth and Álvarez.
Pablo Marín then scored the winning penalty to seal Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey triumph.
Ademola Lookman was substituted in the 62nd minute after another energetic display, finishing the competition with three goals and two assists.
Across all competitions, he now has 11 goal contributions for Atlético Madrid this season.
The result extends Atlético Madrid’s poor run, with Diego Simeone’s team losing six of their last seven matches.
Attention now shifts quickly to their upcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Arsenal, where pressure will once again be high.
Ademola Lookman’s performance remains one of the few positives for Atlético Madrid, even as their Copa del Rey dreams ended in heartbreak.