Athletic Club and Mallorca drew 1-1 in the Copa del Rey final, with Bilbao winning on penalties to secure their first title in 40 years.

Oihan Sancet’s celebration echoed throughout La Cartuja in Seville as Athletic Club emerged victorious in a thrilling Spanish Copa del Rey final against RCD Mallorca. The Basque side triumphed on penalties, clinching the prestigious trophy for the first time in four decades and putting an end to their long-standing drought.

In a nerve-wracking shootout, Athletic Club displayed nerves of steel, converting all four of their penalties. It was Alex Berenguer who stepped up to take the decisive spot kick, burying it with precision. Meanwhile, their exceptional goalkeeper, Julen Agirrezabala, played a crucial role by saving one penalty and witnessing another being blasted over the crossbar.

However, this triumph was not without its fair share of adversity. Mallorca took an early lead against the run of play, capitalizing on Athletic’s failure to clear a corner. The resulting chaos allowed three shots on goal, with Dani Rodriguez’s strike finding the top corner, leaving the Basques stunned.

Despite this setback, Athletic’s Nico Williams emerged as a shining light in the first half. He had a goal disallowed and came close to scoring again, hitting the side netting. It was no surprise when he played a pivotal role in creating the equalizer just five minutes into the second half. Oihan Sancet was the beneficiary, applying the finishing touch to level the score.

Mallorca’s resolute defending prevented Athletic from finding the back of the net again, forcing the game into extra time and eventually penalties. However, their valiant resistance proved futile in the end. Athletic Club’s determination and composure prevailed, securing a historic victory and etching their name in the annals of Spanish football.