Real Sociedad head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made history on Saturday as he led the Basque-based team to the Spanish Cup title in a penalty shootout win (4-3) following a 2-2 tie over Atletico Madrid in Seville, making him the first American-born coach to earn a title in Europe’s top five leagues.
La Real opened the scoring within seconds of the game’s start when Ander Barrenetxea headed in a cross from Goncalo Guedes. Ademola Lookman leveled the score in the 18th minute with a low shot just inside the 18-yard box. Mikel Oyarzabal restored Sociedad’s lead in first-half stoppage time when he converted a spot kick.
However, Atleti tied things up in the 83rd minute through Julian Alvarez, as the Argentine fired a shot into the back of the net. Johnny Cardoso, who came off the bench for Los Rojiblancos, could have been the hero for the team when he was open for a shot in the 90th minute, but it went just wide of the goal.
Extra time came on, but neither side could find a goal. However, Sociedad held their nerve to come out the winners on penalties and secure their fifth cup title.
For Matarazzo, 49, the tournament win comes at a time when the coach took over a team that was struggling in the first half of the season.
Joining the team in San Sebastian in December 2025, La Real has moved up to seventh place in the standings, with wins over Barcelona and Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao.
The New Jersey-born coach will take his team to European competition next season, as the cup win has put it in a spot for the Europa League.
