Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca to end 40-year trophy drought

Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca to end 40-year trophy drought

Athletic Bilbao won 4-2 on penalties to earn their 24th Copa del Rey title.

Athletic Bilbao players react after winning the Copa del Rey final match against Mallorca. (AFP pic)
SEVILLE:
Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca 4-2 on penalties on Saturday to win their 24th Copa del Rey title and their first since 1984, ending a 40-year silverware drought in a nerve-wracking final in Seville.

Athletic’s 23-year-old keeper Julen Agirrezabala saved a spotkick from Mallorca’s Manu Morlanes, while Nemanja Radonjic missed the goal with his effort, while Athletic’s penalty takers were flawless in their execution, scoring all of their first four.

The game had finished 1-1 after extra time. Despite Bilbao dominating proceedings, Dani Rodriguez fired in a rebound from a corner to give Mallorca the lead in the 21st minute, but Ohian Sancet equalised in the 50th minute.

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