Athletic Bilbao Wins Copa del Rey in Dramatic Fashion
Bilbao Beats Mallorca in Extra Time
Real Betis Claims Triumph in 2021 Cup
Athletic Bilbao has emerged victorious in the Copa del Rey final, capturing the trophy for the third time in the past six years. The Basque side overcame a resilient Mallorca in a thrilling encounter that went into extra time, ultimately securing a 2-1 victory.
In a match marked by intense defense and limited scoring opportunities, Athletic Bilbao's Inaki Williams broke the deadlock in the 84th minute with a powerful header. However, Mallorca refused to be deterred, equalizing just four minutes later through Dani Rodriguez's composed finish.
With the game seemingly destined for a penalty shootout, Athletic Bilbao found a dramatic winner in extra time. In the 115th minute, Alex Berenguer slotted home a low drive from close range, sending the San Mames crowd into a frenzy and sealing the club's 24th Copa del Rey triumph.
The victory marks a significant achievement for Athletic Bilbao, who have now won the Copa del Rey more times than any other Spanish club apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid. It also provides a boost to manager Marcelino Garcia Toral, who has overseen a resurgence in the team's fortunes since his arrival in January.
For Mallorca, the defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow, having come so close to a historic upset. However, the team's performance in the final should provide encouragement for the future as they look to build on their progress under coach Luis Garcia Plaza.
Komentar