Spain: Athletic Bilbao win Copa del Rey
Athletic Bilbao 1 - 1 Mallorca
Athletic Bilbao won 4-2 on penalties
Athletic Bilbao has finally ended their run of six successive Copa del Rey final defeats by earning a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Mallorca, after a 40-year wait for silverware.
The team clinched their 24th Copa del Rey title, their first since 1984. Alex Berenguer sealed the win in the shootout, with Athletic coming out on top with a 4-2 victory in Seville.
This victory sparked jubilant scenes at the sold-out La Cartuja stadium, bringing a much-needed end to Athletic's recent painful run in the competition. The team had previously ost two finals in as many weeks in 2021.
Mallorca, who are currently 15th in La Liga, took the lead in the 21st minute as Dani Rodriguez fired in a goal after Athletic failed to clear from a corner.
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Athletic, who are also pushing for a top-four La Liga finish under former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, were denied an equalizer before half-time when Nico Williams' finish was ruled out for offside.
However, Oihan Sancet drew them level shortly after the interval, curling in after the influential Williams regained possession and played him through.
Neither side managed to score a second goal, even though they both continued to create chances.
Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved Vedat Muriqi's header, while Williams missed the target. Mallorca, who played in Spain's third tier in 2018, attempted to win the Copa del Rey for the second time after their victory in 2003.
Athletic eventually celebrated this long-awaited success. In the shootout, Agirrezabala saved Manu Morlanes' penalty, and Nemanja Radonjic missed the target while Athletic's first four penalty takers found the net. Athletic, Spain's fourth-oldest club, only field players of Basque origin.
They have won the trophy on more occasions than any other club except Barcelona, who have won it 31 times.
Best reaction from Bilbao
Tens of thousands of Bilbao fans were unable to attend the final, but they still gathered together at their home ground to watch the game. When their team finally emerged victorious, the scenes that followed were very special. Fans of all ages were overcome with emotion during the trophy presentation.
Matthew, an English football fan, was in Spain for the final. He told us: "The identity of the club is very special. The bond between the players and fans is unlike any other in the world."
