By: Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa
Atletico levelled with Lookman collecting a pass from Antoine Griezmann and sending a precise low strike through the legs of a defender and into the far bottom corner.
Some Sociedad fans were celebrating as they thought their side had retaken the lead when Guedes’ deflected shot flew into the side netting, but when Musso later fouled Guedes, captain Oyarzabal converted the penalty in first-half added time.
“I’ve never walked on water, but it must feel something like this,” said Oyarzabal, who scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot when his side won their last Copa.
LATE DRAMA
Sociedad looked like hanging on until Alvarez struck an unstoppable shot from just inside the area, letting Thiago Almada’s pass through his legs before turning to send the ball into the top corner.
In the opening period of extra time Musso pulled off a double-save from Luka Sucic and Oskarsson, with Alvarez hitting the upright at the other end, as both sides created chances before running out of steam and penalties beckoned.
Marrero danced across his line as the Atletico players lined up their penalties and his mind games paid off.
“I knew that if it went to penalties, I had a lot of confidence in myself,” he said.
“The team and the fans did too. I still can’t believe it.”
Matarazzo has worked a remarkable turnaround at Sociedad since taking over in December with the club hovering above the relegation zone but now seventh in the standings and, even more importantly, with a trophy to show for their work.
Simeone’s Atletico have one final chance of silverware, with a last-four meeting against Arsenal in the Champions League.
“We have a beautiful challenge ahead of us. We want the Champions League and we’ll do everything possible to win it,” Atletico captain Koke said. “But tonight is a sad night.”
