Athletic Club ended their 40-year trophy drought by beating Real Mallorca on penalties to win the Copa del Rey. Bilbao scored all four of their penalties, with Alex Berenguer burying the decisive spot kick, while Julen Agirrezabala saved one and saw another shot go over. Mallorca had taken an early lead but Athletic equalized early in the second half through Oihan Sancet. Despite dominating play, Athletic couldn’t find a winning goal, leading the game to extra time and penalties, where they ultimately emerged victorious.
This victory was particularly significant for Athletic Club, as it was their first major trophy in 40 years. The team had lost each of their previous six major finals this century, including five Copa del Rey finals. The pressure was on them in this match as favorites, but they showed resilience by coming back to equalize in the second half. The players demonstrated mental strength and determination in the penalty shootout, finally ending their long wait for a major trophy.
Nico Williams was named the Player of the Match, standing out as one of the best performers for Athletic Club. Despite a slow start in the first half, he created the equalizer early in the second half and remained a threat throughout the match. His influence on the game was significant, and he could have been involved in more goals if luck had been on his side. Williams’ performance was key to Athletic’s success in the final.
In terms of player ratings, Agirrezabala received a rating of 7 for his performance in goal for Athletic Club, while Nico Williams was rated the highest with an 8. Real Mallorca’s Greif also received a rating of 7 for his efforts in goal. The match highlights included Mallorca taking the lead with a goal from Rodriguez, a disallowed goal by Nico Williams, and a fantastic block by Maffeo to prevent a goal. The game was ultimately decided in a penalty shootout, which Athletic won 4-2.
The victory for Athletic Club ended their 40-year wait for a major trophy and marked a significant achievement for the team. Despite previous disappointments in major finals, they showed resilience and determination to secure the Copa del Rey title. The players’ performance, especially that of Nico Williams, played a crucial role in the team’s success. The win was a momentous occasion for the club and its fans, finally bringing an end to their long-standing trophy drought.
