Athletic Bilbao have reached the Copa del Rey final five times since 2009, and the Basques have lost five times. Against Mallorca, the one-time title winners from 2003, the Basques have now won their 24th trophy – and their first since 1984
Fifth against fifteenth – Bilbao were clear favorites on paper and in terms of the quality of their squad in this Copa del Rey final against Mallorca, who had been accompanied to Seville by fan Rafael Nadal. The big three in Spanish soccer, league leaders FC Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid had already seen off each other in the previous rounds.
The game in front of 60,000 fans at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja saw the Basques dominate for long stretches, but they fell behind in the 21st minute: Dani Rodriguez scored precisely into the right corner for RCD. Shortly after the restart, Nico Williams sent on his team-mate Sancet, who held his nerve in the penalty area and equalized (50′). It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Mallorcans: seconds after the restart, the underdogs could have added to their lead through striker Larin, but he was denied by keeper Agirrezabala.
Bilbao striker Guruzeta almost forced the decision in regulation time with a header deep into stoppage time, but the game went into extra time, which remained largely uneventful. The penalty shoot-out had to decide the winner of the title
Manu Morales and Radonjic fail
And Athletic held their nerve here, with all four scorers converting safely. The last to score was Alex Belenguer, who struck low to the left to start the Basque jubilation. Mallorca’s Manu Morales had previously despaired at goalkeeper Agirrezabala, with Radonjic firing over the crossbar
While the islanders were denied their second cup win since 2003, Ernesto Valverde-coached Bilbao took their tally in this royal competition to 24 – ending a drought that had lasted since 1984 and included five consecutive cup finals lost since 2009. Spain’s King Felipe VI presented the coveted trophy in the stands to Athletic legend and substitute Iker Muniain, who celebrated with his team-mates on the pitch shortly afterwards.
