Athletic Bilbao Win Copa Del Rey with Penalty Shootout Victory Against Mallorca

Athletic Bilbao wins Copa del Rey after 40 years with a 4-2 penalty victory over Real Mallorca. Basque side triumphs.

Athletic Bilbao has finally ended a 40-year wait to win the Copa del Rey, triumphing over Real Mallorca in a thrilling match that ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Athletic emerging victorious 4-2 on penalties. This victory marks the 24th time that Athletic has lifted the trophy, placing them behind only Barcelona in terms of total wins. The match, held at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, saw Dani Rodriguez scoring for Mallorca in the first half, only for Oihan Sancet to equalize for Athletic soon after the break.

The game remained deadlocked until the penalty shootout, where Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved Manu Morlanes' penalty and Mallorca's Nemanja Radonjic missed his spot kick, allowing Athletic to convert all four of theirs and secure the win. The winning penalty was stroked home by Alex Berenguer, sparking wild celebrations among the Basque supporters who had traveled to support their team.

This victory is especially sweet for Athletic, as they had been defeated in their six previous appearances in the final, bringing an end to a long era of near misses. The team had a tough road to the final, having beaten powerhouses like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid along the way. This win marks the club's first major trophy since their domestic league and cup double in 1984.

Man-of-the-match Nico Williams expressed his joy at the historic win, stating, "This is incredible, we've made history. The team worked hard, the fans are always with us and they deserve it, I've dreamed of this for a long time." The victory also means that Athletic will have the opportunity to launch the traditional celebration boat, known as the 'Gabarra', once again next week.

Mallorca, winners in 2003, put up a strong fight in the final, taking the lead through Rodriguez's well-placed finish in the first half. However, Athletic's resilience shone through as they fought back to equalize and eventually clinch the victory. Despite the loss, Mallorca's Rodriguez expressed pride in his team's efforts, stating, "It was a dream to lift this cup and we tried until the end."

Overall, the match was a testament to the passion and dedication of both teams, with Athletic emerging as the deserving winners after a hard-fought battle. The victory will be remembered as a historic moment for the club and its fans, marking the end of a long wait for glory in the Copa del Rey.