Atlético Madrid’s wait for a major domestic trophy continues after a 4-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final at Sevilla’s Estadio de La Cartuja on Saturday night. The loss leaves Antoine Griezmann, the club’s talisman and France’s all-time leading scorer, without a single major title won on Spanish soil despite over a decade of elite-level performances in La Liga.
Athletic Bilbao struck early and often, with goals from Nico Williams (17’), Oihan Sancet (30’), and a brace from Gorka Guruzeta (45+2’, 68’) sealing the victory before Atlético could mount a meaningful response. Ángel Correa pulled one back in the 55th minute, and Griezmann added a late consolation in the 82nd, but the damage was already done. The Basque side lifted their first Copa del Rey trophy since 1984, ending a 40-year drought.
For Griezmann, the defeat adds another layer to a frustrating narrative. Since joining Atlético in 2014, he has scored over 200 goals for the club, won the UEFA Europa League in 2018, and reached the Champions League final that same year. Yet domestically, the cabinet remains bare. He has never won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, or the Supercopa de España with Atlético. His only major Spanish honor came in 2021 when he lifted the Supercopa with Barcelona — a trophy won during his brief, unhappy loan spell back at Camp Nou.
“It hurts,” Griezmann said in the mixed zone after the match, his voice low. “We gave everything. But they were better today. We wanted this for the fans, for the city. It’s not fair after all the work.” He declined to elaborate further, shaking his head as he walked past reporters.
Diego Simeone, Atlético’s long-serving head coach, acknowledged the gap in execution. “Athletic deserved it,” he said. “They pressed high, they ran more, they believed more. We had chances, but we didn’t take them. In finals, details decide everything. Tonight, we missed ours.”
The match began with Atlético dominating possession but failing to convert. Athletic, under manager Ernesto Valverde, absorbed pressure and struck on the counter. Williams opened the scoring after a swift breakaway, latching onto a through-ball from Sancet and finishing low past Jan Oblak. Sancet then doubled the lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box before halftime.
Guruzeta’s two goals came just before and just after the break. His first was a header from a corner kick that Oblak should have done better with; the second, a clinical finish after a defensive mix-up between José Giménez and Rodrigo De Paul, left Atlético scrambling.
Correa’s goal sparked a brief surge, with Atlético pushing for a second. But Guruzeta’s second goal killed the momentum. Griezmann’s late strike, a composed finish after a one-two with Marcos Llorente, offered only symbolic relief.
Statistically, Atlético had 62% possession and 18 shots to Athletic’s 10, but only two found the net. Athletic, meanwhile, converted four of their chances — a clinical efficiency that underscored the gulf in final-third execution. Oblak made three saves, but none came from clear-cut opportunities.
The defeat leaves Atlético without a trophy this season. They are currently third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Real Madrid and two ahead of Girona, with Champions League qualification all but secured. Their next match is a league fixture against Valencia on April 28 at the Metropolitano Stadium.
For Griezmann, the question now turns to legacy. At 33, he remains one of the most gifted players of his generation. Yet the absence of a major domestic trophy with Atlético — the club where he has spent the prime of his career — looms large. Whether he stays beyond this season, when his contract runs until 2026, remains uncertain. Atlético have not signaled any intention to sell, but Griezmann’s future may depend on whether the club can finally deliver the silverware he has long sought.
Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, celebrate a historic triumph. Their victory earns them a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League group stage and validates Valverde’s emphasis on youth and identity. The Basque club, known for its strict cantera policy, fielded a starting XI composed entirely of players developed in Spain — a rare feat in modern football.
The Copa del Rey final drew an official attendance of 57,119 at La Cartuja, according to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The venue, which has hosted the final since 2019 due to renovations at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, continues to serve as a neutral ground for Spain’s premier knockout competition.
Looking ahead, Atlético will look to regroup in La Liga, where a strong finish could still salvage the season. Their next match against Valencia offers a chance to rebuild momentum. For Griezmann, the focus shifts to whether he can finally break through on the domestic stage — or whether the curse of near-misses will define his Spanish legacy.
What’s next: Atlético Madrid face Valencia in La Liga on April 28 at 9:00 p.m. Local time (8:00 p.m. UTC) at the Cívitas Metropolitano. Fans can follow live updates via the club’s official website and social channels.
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