Soccer-Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca on penalties to end 40-year trophy drought

SEVILLE, April 6 (Reuters) – Athletic Bilbao 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 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, while Nemanja Radonjic missed the goal with his effort, while Athletic’s penalty takers were flawless in their execution, scoring all of their first four.

The game had finished 1-1 after extra time. Despite Bilbao dominating proceedings, Dani Rodriguez fired in a rebound from a corner to give Mallorca the lead in the 21st minute, but Ohian Sancet equalised in the 50th minute. (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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