Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman scored for Atletico Madrid in a dramatic Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad, which ultimately saw his team fall to a 4-3 penalty shootout loss after the match ended 2-2 in regular and extra time. The final, held at Estadio de la Cartuja, showcased a thrilling contest despite Atletico Madrid being considered slight favorites.

Real Sociedad stunned Atletico early when Ander Barrenetxea scored the opener in the first minute, meeting a cross from Gonçalo Guedes with a perfect header. However, Lookman quickly responded with a beautiful strike in the 18th minute. He smartly received a pass from Antoine Griezmann in the center of the box, cut onto his left foot, and unleashed a low piledriver past Unai Simón to level the score at 1-1. Lookman nearly assisted Griezmann in the 31st minute, but the Frenchman missed the target. Before halftime, Lookman's efforts in combining with Griezmann nearly resulted in another goal, though his strike narrowly missed the left post. On the stroke of halftime, Real Sociedad regained the lead when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after Guedes was fouled by Juan Musso in the box.

Going into the second half trailing 2-1, Los Rojiblancos dominated the early exchanges. Lookman had another opportunity to score in the 60th minute but his effort was wide. Coach Diego Simeone decided to substitute Lookman in the 62nd minute, bringing on Nicolas Gonzalez. Despite the substitution, Atletico Madrid pressed on and found their equalizer in the 83rd minute through Julian Alvarez, who fired home a superb goal that dragged the game into extra time. The 30 minutes of extra time saw both sides play defensively, unable to break the deadlock, leading to a penalty shootout where Real Sociedad prevailed 4-3.

Ademola Lookman's goal for Atletico Madrid was not just crucial for his team during the match, but it also marked a significant personal achievement. He became the first Super Eagles player to score in a Copa del Rey final since Finidi George did so in 1997. This goal was also Lookman's 11th goal contribution since joining the club during the winter transfer window, proving his worth to Atletico Madrid. Despite his strong performance, his efforts were not enough to secure the victory for his side on the night.

Following the match, Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone explained his decision to substitute Lookman, stating it was a tactical approach to give his side a different dimension in attack. Simeone mentioned, "I understood that with Sørloth up front we could create more chances and that Julián could fulfil the role Lookman was playing. Then we moved Baena out to the left. That’s how I understood the substitution.” With the Copa del Rey and the league title now out of reach, Atletico Madrid's focus shifts to the UEFA Champions League semifinal, where they are set to face Premier League heavyweights Arsenal. Simeone will undoubtedly be taking note of Lookman’s growing influence as they prepare for crucial upcoming matches.