Football isn't always about the biggest brands or the most expensive squads. Honestly, the Copa del Rey final 2024 proved that. When Athletic Club Bilbao and RCD Mallorca stepped onto the grass at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville on April 6, 2024, the atmosphere wasn't just electric. It was heavy. It was heavy with forty years of longing for the Basques and a desperate, underdog hope for the islanders from Mallorca.
You've probably seen the highlights. But highlights don't capture the collective holding of breath.
Athletic Club hadn't touched that trophy since 1984. Think about that for a second. For four decades, one of Spain's most historic clubs—a team that famously only recruits players from the Basque region—had been the "eternal bridesmaid." They reached final after final only to be dismantled by Messi’s Barcelona or stifled by Real Madrid. By the time the Copa del Rey final 2024 rolled around, it felt like a curse was real.
Mallorca, led by the tactical "Sheriff" Javier Aguirre, weren't supposed to be there. They knocked out Girona. They outlasted Real Sociedad in a grueling semi-final shootout. They arrived in Seville with a "nothing to lose" attitude that is terrifying for a favorite to face.
The Night Seville Turned Red and White
Seville in April is usually about orange blossoms and preparation for the Feria. In 2024, it was swallowed by an estimated 100,000 Athletic fans. Most didn't even have tickets. They just wanted to be in the same zip code as the potential end of the drought.
The game itself was a cagey, nervous affair. Javier Aguirre’s Mallorca did exactly what everyone expected: they sat deep, defended like their lives depended on it, and waited for a set piece. It worked. In the 21st minute, Dani Rodríguez found the back of the net after a scramble from a corner.
Panic. You could see it in the eyes of the Athletic players.
The weight of 1985, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2020, and 2021—all lost finals—seemed to settle on the shoulders of Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet. It’s hard to play football when you’re carrying the ghosts of forty years.
Athletic Club kept pushing, though. Nico Williams, arguably the best player on the pitch that night, was a constant menace on the wing. He eventually provided the spark, sliding a perfect ball to Sancet in the 50th minute. Sancet’s finish was clinical. 1-1.
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Then? A stalemate.
Extra time was a blur of tired legs and tactical fouls. Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi was a warrior up front, winning flick-ons and holding up play, but the chances were few and far between. It felt destined for penalties. Everyone in the stadium knew it. Everyone watching at home felt that familiar pit in their stomach.
The Penalty Shootout That Changed Everything
Penalties are a lottery, right? Sort of. But they're also about nerve.
Julen Agirrezabala, the young Athletic goalkeeper who had been played throughout the tournament instead of the first-choice Unai Simón, became a hero. He saved Manu Morlanes' attempt. Then, Mallorca’s Nemanja Radonjić sent his effort over the bar.
When Alex Berenguer stepped up for the final kick, the silence was deafening. He tucked it away.
The Copa del Rey final 2024 didn't just end with a trophy presentation. It ended with a release of tension so massive it felt like a physical shockwave. The "Gabarra"—the famous barge used for Athletic's victory parades—could finally be taken out of mothballs.
What We Get Wrong About This Final
A lot of people look at the Copa del Rey final 2024 and see a "boring" 1-1 draw between a mid-table side and a traditional power. That’s a shallow take.
This game was a masterclass in the "Aguirre Way." Javier Aguirre is a coach who maximizes limited resources. His Mallorca side had no right to be there, yet they were minutes away from winning it all. They played with a back five that moved like a single organism. If you want to learn how to coach a defensive block, watch the first sixty minutes of this match.
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On the flip side, Athletic Club’s victory validated their unique philosophy. In a world of multi-club ownership and billion-dollar transfer windows, a team that only uses local talent won a major trophy. That shouldn't be possible in 2024. But it happened.
Ernesto Valverde, the Athletic manager, deserves more credit than he gets. He’s often remembered for his time at Barcelona, but his work in Bilbao has been transformative. He managed the pressure. He kept the players focused when Mallorca took the lead. He trusted his youth.
Surprising Stats from the Match
- Possession: Athletic dominated with nearly 70% of the ball, yet they struggled to create clear-cut chances against Mallorca's low block.
- Total Shots: Athletic fired off 30 shots, but only 7 were on target. Mallorca was hyper-efficient, scoring with one of their only real opportunities.
- Nico Williams: He finished the match with the most successful dribbles and the crucial assist, cementing his status as one of Europe's elite wingers.
The Cultural Impact of the Victory
The celebration wasn't just a parade. It was a pilgrimage.
When the Gabarra finally sailed down the Nervión River a few days later, over a million people lined the banks. Schools closed. Businesses shut down. It was a reminder that football is identity. For the people of Bilbao and the surrounding provinces, Athletic isn't just a club; it’s a representation of their culture and resilience.
Mallorca, despite the loss, gained a new level of respect. They proved that the "big three" (Real, Barça, Atleti) don't have a monopoly on drama or quality in Spanish football. They brought thousands of fans from the island to Seville, creating a sea of red that rivaled the Basque contingent in passion, if not in numbers.
Lessons Learned from the 2024 Final
If you’re a football fan or a coach, there are some pretty clear takeaways from this specific final.
First, the "underdog" strategy is still viable. Mallorca almost won by being organized and clinical. You don't need the most talent to win a final; you need the best plan for that specific 90 minutes.
Second, psychological scars are real. Athletic played with a visible tremor until they scored the equalizer. Managing the mental side of a "final jinx" is just as important as the tactical setup.
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Third, the Copa del Rey’s single-leg format (up until the semi-finals) is the best thing to happen to Spanish football. It allows for these stories. It allows a team like Mallorca to dream.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights
For those looking to follow the tournament or understand the landscape of Spanish football after this historic event, consider these steps:
1. Watch the Williams brothers. Nico and Iñaki Williams are the heart of this Athletic era. Their chemistry and speed are the blueprint for how Athletic wants to play moving forward.
2. Follow the "Aguirre Effect." Even though he eventually moved on, Javier Aguirre's tenure at Mallorca showed how a veteran manager can over-perform with a modest budget. Look for teams that adopt this grit-first mentality.
3. Respect the Cup. The Copa del Rey has reclaimed its prestige. Don't dismiss it as a secondary trophy. In many ways, it’s now more competitive and unpredictable than La Liga itself.
4. Study the Basque Youth System. If you're interested in sports management, the Lezama academy (Athletic's youth system) is the gold standard. Their ability to produce top-tier talent consistently from a small population pool is a feat of engineering.
The Copa del Rey final 2024 was a slow-burn thriller that rewarded patience and loyalty. It was the night the drought ended, the barge sailed, and a small island team proved they could hang with giants. It was, quite simply, everything that makes football the beautiful game.
To truly understand the impact of this match, one must look at the footage of the Gabarra parade. The sheer scale of the turnout—estimated at 25% of the entire Basque Country's population—puts the sporting achievement into its proper social context. The victory wasn't just about a trophy; it was about the validation of a century-old philosophy in the modern era.
Keep an eye on the 2025 edition to see if the "giant-killer" trend continues or if the traditional powerhouses reassert their dominance. The landscape has shifted, and the mid-tier clubs in Spain now believe the path to silverware is wide open.