Iker Muniain has led the Athletic Club to Copa del Rey glory after 40 years wait as they beat Real Mallorca on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
The 31-year-old Spain international played a key role in Athletic Club’s victory over Mallorca at La Cartuja stadium in Seville.
After the final whistle, Athletic Club received their medals while Iker Muniain collected the trophy from Spanish King Felipe VI before lifting it high for his team and fans to celebrate.
After the game, the Spanish player took to his Instagram page to post a picture of himself and the trophy lying in bed with a caption that reads; “Sometimes dreams do come true…. CHAMPIONS”
What happened?
Athletic Club won their first Copa del Rey title in 40 years after six failed attempts by beating Real Mallorca 4-2 in the penalty shootout in a heart-stopping final at Seville on Saturday.
The Spanish outfit lifted the trophy for the 24th time, behind 31-time winners Barcelona, as they edged past underdogs Mallorca at La Cartuja stadium in Seville.
Athletic Club vs Real Mallorca in brief
The game started on a high note as Dani Rodriguez sent Real Mallorca ahead in the first half but Oihan Sancet equalized soon after the break and the sides could not be separated until penalties.
Athletic Club’s shoot stopper Julen Agirrezabala saved a penalty by Manuel Morlanes, while Mallorca’s Nemanja Radonjic shot over the bar.
Raul García, Iker Muniain, Mikel Vesga, and Alejandro Berenguer — all substitutes — converted their spot kicks past Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif to be crowned champions.
What the Athletic Club were saying after their victory over Real Mallorca
Athletic forward Nico Williams said; “This is incredible. Our fans have always been behind us and now it is time to enjoy this, we have been fighting for this for a long time.”
Athletic won their 23rd and last Copa in 1984. Since then they have lost six straight finals, including in 2020 and 2021. To win this one, they have previously beat both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinal and semifinals.
Speaking about their title glory, Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde said; “Now it is time to celebrate. We sure make it hard for ourselves to hold a party, it took us 40 years, but now we are going to do just that.”
He added; “Considering all the finals we have lost, and what the Copa del Rey means to Athletic, nothing compares to this.”
The club is expected to celebrate the trophy by parading the team on a barge in the river that runs through Bilbao, a victory tradition that they have not carried out in four decades.
What’s next for Athletic Club?
The Spanish outfit will be seen next in action when they lock horns against Villarreal in Spanish La Liga on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 5:30 WAT.
