Athletic Club’s last trophy

Five years ago today, on August 17, 2015, Athletic Club lifted their last piece of silverware. Athletic won the Spanish Super Cup in 2015 after defeating FC Barcelona over two legs, and this was a Barcelona side that won the treble the season before.

After winning 4-0 in the home-leg at San Mamés, Ernesto Valverde’s lions drew with the Catalan side in the Camp Nou. This meant Athletic won their first trophy since the Copa del Rey in 1984, a long 31 years before.

Barcelona started strong, Pedro Rodríguez missed an easy one-v-one with keeper Gorka Iraizoz and Leo Messi had a shot that was just centimetres wide. Athletic also had their opportunities, Javi Eraso was through on goal but his shot hit the side netting. Barcelona’s no.10 opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, offering the local side a glimmer of hope.

After the break, winger Markel Susaeta and striker Aritz Aduriz had efforts saved. Then in the 73rd minute, Athletic caught Barcelona napping at the back. Oscar de Marcos headed a long-ball down into the path of Aduriz. His first shot was blocked by keeper Claudio Bravo, but Aritz made no mistake with the rebound. The final score was 1-1 and Athletic took home their first trophy in 31 years.