Substitute Alex Berenguer ended Athletic Bilbao’s 40-year wait for Copa del Rey glory with the decisive penalty in a shoot-out victory over Real Mallorca.
Raul Garcia, Iker Muniain, Mikel Vesga and Berenguer, who were all introduced from the bench, scored from the spot as keeper Julen Agirrezabala saved from Manu Morianes and Nemanja Radonjic blazed over to hand the Basque club the trophy they last win as part of a league and cup double in 1984.
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Oihan Sancet’s 50th-minute strike had earlier cancelled out Dani Rodriguez’s first-half opener at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja in Seville, but neither team could find a winner in 120 minutes of football.
TXAPELDUNAK
La 2⃣5⃣ se viene a casa, familia.
El Athletic Club vuelve a ser campeón 40 años después.#UniqueInTheWorld #AthleticRCDMallorca pic.twitter.com/UIdNzsUdBX
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) April 6, 2024
Nico Williams served early warning of Bilbao’s intent with a first-minute shot and Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif had to save from Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta as they built up a head of steam.
Agirrezabala denied Vedat Muriqi and Copete in quick succession as Mallorca responded, but he was finally beaten with 21 minutes gone.
His defenders failed to clear Antonio Raillo’s corner, despite having several chances to do so, and Rodriguez pounced to smash home the opening goal from 16 yards.
Esta es mi gente pic.twitter.com/mSmB3KHxYs
— Real Mallorca (@RCD_Mallorca) April 6, 2024
Raillo headed wide from a tight angle as his side pushed for a second, but Sancet and Gorka Guruzeta both went close to an equaliser, but not as close as Williams in first-half stoppage time, in an even contest.
Mallorca, who beat Real Sociedad on penalties to reach the final, returned knowing they could be just 45 minutes from glory, but equally aware the job was nowhere near done.
Cyle Larin forced a save from Agirrezabala within seconds of the restart, but Bilbao were back in it with 50 minutes gone when Williams slid Sancet in and he fired emphatically past Greif.
¡¡𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗘 𝗟𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗔!!
El Athletic se impone al @RCD_Mallorca en la tanda de penaltis y se lleva su 25º entorchado.
GOAZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!! #UniqueInTheWorld #AthleticRCDMallorca pic.twitter.com/8BTOQnbGjU
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) April 6, 2024
Sancet and Williams both took aim from distance and Greif had to keep out headers from Inaki Williams and Guruzeta with Athletic in menacing mood.
Yuri Berchiche called upon Greif with 12 minutes remaining, but there was no separating the sides and extra time was required.
Muniain sent a 102nd-minute free-kick just wide and Agirrezabala kept out Muriqi’s header with seven minutes remaining, but ultimately it came down to penalties.
