Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Athletic Club win 1st Copa del Rey in 40 years

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 06 April 2024 17:06

Athletic Club 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 major silverware drought in a nerve-wracking final in Seville.

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

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.)

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

Iker Muniain received the trophy from Spanish King Felipe VI before lifting it high for his team and fans to celebrate.

Athletic Club lift the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years.

JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images


Since their last Copa del Rey triumph, Athletic had lost six straight finals, including in 2020 and 2021.

Only Barcelona and their 31 Copas have more than Athletic, despite the team from Bilbao fielding players only from or near Spain's northern Basque Country region.

Athletic's only previous silverware in the last 40 years has been two Spanish Supercopa triumphs, in 2015 and 2021.

"We have made history! I've been dreaming about this for a long time. I've given everything for my family, my friends..." an emotional man-of-the-match Nico Williams told TVE.

"The fans have always been with us and they deserve it, let's enjoy it. It's a dream to win with the club of my life. Everyone can enjoy it now and celebrate!"

NBA great Steve Nash, a minority owner of Mallorca, was at the game, as well as Rafael Nadal, a native of the island of Mallorca. Each club had 20,000 tickets for traveling fans at the packed 57,000-seat La Cartuja Stadium. Some 40,000 more fans, mostly for Athletic, were expected to descend on the southern city without tickets.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 32 times

Soccer

Everton's fight to stay in the Premier League: 'You take the knocks, but you keep fighting'

Everton's fight to stay in the Premier League: 'You take the knocks, but you keep fighting'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLIVERPOOL, England -- Sylvester Stallone is an Everton supporter an...

Maradona's children want remains in mausoleum

Maradona's children want remains in mausoleum

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChildren of the late soccer star Diego Maradona have asked a court...

Sources: Man United leading race to sign Olise

Sources: Man United leading race to sign Olise

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are considered front-runners to sign Michael Olis...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Toppin, McConnell help Pacers eliminate Bucks

Toppin, McConnell help Pacers eliminate Bucks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin complemented one anot...

'Frustrating': Lillard laments injuries after loss

'Frustrating': Lillard laments injuries after loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- After spending the hours leading up to Game 6 getti...

Baseball

Bally Sports channels pulled off air by Comcast

Bally Sports channels pulled off air by Comcast

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBally Sports channels carried by the distributor Comcast went dark...

Orioles' Bradish gives up 1 run in season debut

Orioles' Bradish gives up 1 run in season debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBaltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish was reinstated from the...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated