Athletic Bilbao wins the Copa del Rey 2024

April 8, 2024
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Athletic Bilbao completed a 40-year quest for silverware by defeating Mallorca in a thrilling penalty shootout.

Athletic Bilbao wins the Copa del Rey 2024

Athletic Bilbao also break their run of six straight Copa del Rey final losses with the title victory.

In a 4-2 shootout in Seville, Berenguer guided Bilbao to their 24th Copa del Rey title, and first since 1984.

It generated joyful celebrations at a sold-out La Cartuja stadium, capping Athletic’s traumatic recent run in the competition, which saw them lose two finals in as many weeks in 2021.

Dani Rodriguez put Mallorca (15th in La Liga) ahead in the 21st minute after Athletic failed to clear a corner.

Athletic Bilbao vs RCD Mallorca | Copa del Rey 2024

Athletic, who were aiming for a top-four finish in La Liga under former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, were denied an equaliser before halftime when Nico Williams’ effort was ruled out for offside.

However, Oihan Sancet equalised just after the break, looping in after influential Williams reclaimed control and passed him through.

Neither team was able to find a winner, with Williams missing the target in the second half of extra time and Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi having his header saved by Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala.

Mallorca was looking to recreate its 2003 Copa del Rey triumph after finishing in the Spanish third tier in 2018.

The outbreak made a postponement of the 40th Spanish Cup final, but Athletic won. The last two losses occurred in April of 2021.

Athletic’s first four penalty shooters all scored, with Agirrezabala, 23, saving Manu Morlanes’ attempt and Nemanja Radonjic missing.

Only Barcelona, with 31, has won the trophy more times than Athletic, Spain’s fourth-oldest club, which employs only Basque players.

Bilbao, who are currently fifth in La Liga, will play at home against Europe-chasing Villarreal on Sunday, April 14, followed by another home fixture against relegation-threatened Granada five days later.

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