Athletic Bilbao vs Real Zaragoza 2015 Copa del Rey Final
The miraculous comeback at the Bernabéu that crowned Athletic as Copa del Rey champions.
The 2015 Copa del Rey Final stands as a monumental chapter in Athletic Bilbao's modern history, marking their triumph over Real Zaragoza to claim the King's Cup at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This match is celebrated not only for the silverware it secured but also for its dramatic narrative arc, where a resilient Basque side overturned a first-half deficit with a stunning second-half comeback. It represents a pinnacle of the club's post-2014 resurgence, showcasing the depth and character of the squad built entirely from Basque or Spanish-born players.
- competition
- Copa del Rey Final
- date
- April 18, 2015
- venue
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid
- final_score
- Athletic Bilbao 3–2 Real Zaragoza (AET)
- man_of_the_match
- Iñigo Martínez
Lore & Background
The victory was sealed by the iconic 'Mikel' goal, a moment where the team's unity shone brightest. It was not just about individual brilliance but the collective will of a squad that believed in their identity against all odds. This triumph ended a trophy drought and validated the club's unique policy of playing only Basque or Spanish-born players on the biggest stage in domestic cup football, proving that tradition could coexist with modern success.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Bernabéu was thick with tension as the clock ticked past the 60th minute. The scoreboard read 2–0 to Zaragoza, and the silence from the traveling Basque section was deafening. Then, a roar began to build—not from a goal, but from a shift in momentum. As Athletic pressed higher, the crowd sensed it: the tide had turned. Every tackle, every pass carried the weight of history, culminating in a final that would be whispered about in San Mamés for generations.
Reader's Guide
The match began with Real Zaragoza seizing early control, scoring twice before halftime to silence the Athletic supporters and leave them reeling at the Bernabéu. Ernesto Valverde's halftime team talk reignited the squad, who emerged with renewed ferocity. Iñigo Martínez opened the scoring in the 57th minute, sparking a belief that they could still turn the tide. The drama peaked when Aritz Aduriz equalized just before the hour mark, leveling the score and igniting the stadium. The tension was palpable as both sides pushed for a winner in stoppage time. In extra time, the decisive moment arrived as Aduriz struck again, heading home from a corner to seal a 3–2 victory. This late heroics cemented the match as one of the greatest comebacks in Copa history.
Did You Know?
- This was Athletic Bilbao's first major trophy since winning the Copa del Rey in 1984, ending a 31-year wait for silverware.
- Aritz Aduriz scored two goals in extra time to become the match-winner and cement his status as a club legend.
- The final was played at the Santiago Bernabéu, the home of their fierce rivals Real Madrid, adding immense pressure to the occasion.
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