Aberdeen secured their first Scottish Cup triumph for 35 years after a penalty shoot-out win over Celtic at Hampden Park.
Dimitar Mitov was the hero as the Bulgarian goalkeeper saved two penalties in a 4-3 shoot-out victory after the teams battled out a 1-1 draw. Mitov saved the first spot-kick from Callum McGregor and then denied Alistair Johnston as Aberdeen produced a perfect set of penalties from their own players.
Mitov’s afternoon was in stark contrast to his opposite number Kasper Schmeichel, whose 83rd-minute blunder cancelled out an earlier own goal from Alfie Dorrington.
Dorrington’s unfortunate own goal gave Celtic the lead six minutes before the end of a scrappy first half but Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with a cross to get the Dons back in the game.
Celtic hit the frame of the goal twice but could not find a winner and McGregor was left in tears after the shoot-out prevented Celtic clinching a sixth treble in nine seasons.
It was Aberdeen’s fourth Scottish Cup final win over Celtic and emulated the 1990 side who beat the Hoops in an epic shoot-out. The triumph also ensured Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen boss was a major success despite recent disappointments.
Here is how the Celtic and Aberdeen players rated for their performance out of 10...
21. Daizen Maeda - Celtic
Had the chance to win the cup for Celtic when he bore down on goal in stoppage time at the end of the 90 but was unable to get the better of Dimitar Mitov. Scotland's player of the year was not as dangerous as he normally is. 6 | SNS Group
22. Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen
A non-entity in the first half as Dons put all their efforts into defending their box, the striker was more effective after the break with more support around him before he was taken off with 11 minutes left. 6 | SNS Group
23. Celtic subs
Luke McCowan, James Forrest and Hyunjun Yang were all introduced on 65 minutes, with McCowan the pick of the bunch. Forrest had to go off with an injury in extra-time, with Johnny Kenny coming on, while Yang wasted some good openings. Jeffrey Schlupp also came on in extra-time, and rattled the crossbar from 25 yards. | PA
24. Aberdeen subs
The Aberdeen bomb squad made all the difference. Pape Gueye was first off the bench in the 58th minute and changed the complexion of the game as his unorthodox style gave the Celtic defence a challenge that had not faced until then, and provided the Dons with a badly needed outlet. The triple change on 79 minutes - Dante Polvara, Oday Dabbagh and Shayden Morris - proved the match-defining moment, with Morris providing that dangerous low cross that Schmeichel spilled into his own net for the equaliser. Jack MacKenzie and Kristers Tobers also came on to play their part in a historic victory. | SNS Group