Real Sociedad are Copa del Rey champions after beating Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties in Seville on Saturday, but it’s a decision made just past the hour mark that has dominated the conversation in the aftermath, Footynaija.com reports.
Diego Simeone substituted Ademola Lookman in the 62nd minute, with Atletico trailing 2-1 and in desperate need of their most dangerous attacker, and many fans feel it cost them the trophy.
Lookman had been Atletico‘s best player on the night. He’d already scored, collecting a pass from Antoine Griezmann in the 19th minute and sliding a precise low finish through a defender’s legs into the far corner to cancel out Ander Barrenetxea’s stunning opener after just 14 seconds.
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The Super Eagles forward remained a constant threat throughout the first half, running at Sociedad’s defence and creating problems that nobody else in the side could.
When he came off, Atletico’s attacking play immediately narrowed.
Atletico fan page Atletisa GG 1903 put it bluntly.
“One thing to reproach Simeone for: why does Lookman absolutely always come on at the 60′? A guy with flair, with 1v1s and above all with GOALS in a final should play ALWAYS and even more so when he’s not out of tune. For me, a GRAVE error to take off the Nigerian (again).”
Lookman’s substitution pattern at Atletico has become a recurring talking point, and doing it again in a cup final, while the side were trailing, felt to many like the moment the game slipped away.
Atletico did eventually equalise, Julian Alvarez striking a brilliant left-footed effort in the 83rd minute to force extra time, but there was no further scoring and the shootout went Sociedad’s way, with Sorloth and Alvarez both missing from the spot.
Whether or not the substitution was defensible tactically, Atletico are now trophyless since the 2020/21 La Liga title, and their Copa del Rey wait extends to 13 years. A Champions League semi-final against Arsenal is next.
