da dobrowin: Athletic Club fans packed out their home ground to watch their side lift the Copa del Rey following a penalty shootout win over Mallorca.
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Athletic beat Mallorca on penaltiesFirst Copa del Rey title in 40 yearsFans celebrate win in home groundWHAT HAPPENED?
Athletic ended their 40-year wait to lift the Copa del Rey trophy following a 4-2 shootout win over Mallorca at La Cartuja. Dani Rodriguez gave Los Piratas the lead in the 21st minute before Oihan Sancet equalised just after half-time. After neither side could be separated after 120 minutes of football, Alex Berengue scored the winning penalty to end their title drought. Then, video footage soon surfaced of tens of thousands of Bilbao fans celebrating the victory from their San Mames Stadium.
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The clip shows supporters wildly celebrating their side's win on Saturday night, with multiple giant screens placed on the pitch for those present to watch the contest.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Bilbao won the Supercopa de Espana in 2015 and 2021, they had not triumphed in the Copa del Rey since 1984 – the same year they won La Liga for the last time. After final losses in this competition in 2021, 2020, 2015, and 2012 in recent years, this victory will taste all the sweeter.
(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Bilbao, who sit fifth in La Liga at present, are next in action at home to Europe-chasing Villarreal on Sunday, April 14, followed by another match on their own patch five days later against relegation-threatened Granada.