One of Europe’s best fairytale stories continues as Osasuna return to the Copa del Rey final for the first time since their 2005 defeat.
In a tense game at Athletic Club’s San Mamés, a superb volley by Pablo Ibáñez in the 116th minute of the semi-final second leg saw the Pamplona outfit take the lead on aggregate and level things up on the night.
Athletic were dominant throughout the game and a neat finish by Iñaki Williams in the first half gave the home side belief. However a failure in front of goal saw the game go to extra time.
Osasuna have played extra time in each of their last four Copa del Rey matches, and scored the winning goal in all of them.
With the 2-1 aggregate victory, Osasuna have booked their place in Copa del Rey final 18 years later where they will face either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
The historic achievement was celebrated passionately by the club’s fans who waited for the team bus to arrive in Pamplona at 3am where they received their heroes.
Nicolás Antúnez de Mayolo | GSFN
