Eight reasons why Atlético went wrong in the Copa del Rey final

SEVILLE, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Koke of Atletico de Madrid reacts during the Copa Del Rey Final match between Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 18, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) | Getty Images A first Copa del Rey final in 13 years gave Atlético Madrid a real shot at silverware for the first time since 2021 at La Cartuja against Real Sociedad. But a painful penalty shootout defeat after a 2-2 tie means more suffering and pain for Colchoneros.

Here’s where Atleti went wrong on Saturday night. 1. Juan Musso showed why he’s second-choice First of all, full credit to Juan Musso for being the closest Jan Oblak has had to a real rival in his entire time at Atlético Madrid.

But in Seville, it all went wrong. Musso didn’t cover himself in glory with the first goal. I don’t include the decision to give a penalty for a tap on Gonçalo Guedes’ shoulder here to avoid it becoming a refereeing rant after a game in which Javier Alberola Rojas is not the main reason for Atlético’s defeat.

But that decision was an appalling one. And it was one that Musso gave him to make. Then the penalty shoot-out, where Musso went the wrong way repeatedly, as he did for Mikel Oyarzabal’s in-game effort, reflected a lack of preparation and a poor penalty record.