Aberdeen ended a 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory with a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Celtic, as Senegalese striker Pape Habib Gueye celebrated the first major honour of his professional career.
The final, held on Saturday, saw the Dons overcome Scottish champions Celtic 4-3 on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw in regular time.
The goals on the day were both own goals in an unpredictable contest that tested the nerves of players and fans alike.
Celtic had taken the lead in the 39th minute when Alfie Dorrington inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a corner.
Aberdeen, resilient throughout despite being underdogs, found their equaliser in the 83rd minute after a costly misjudgement from veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who failed to read the flight of a cross that ultimately deflected in.
With the deadlock unbroken in regulation time and extra time offering no further breakthroughs, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.
Aberdeen held their nerve, converting all four of their spot-kicks, while Celtic faltered with two misses.
It marked a historic achievement for Aberdeen, whose last Scottish Cup triumph came in 1990—also against Celtic, in a similarly dramatic shootout that ended 9-8 after a goalless draw.
For Gueye, the victory is a significant personal milestone.
The 24-year-old forward, who joined Aberdeen from Belgian side Kortrijk, contributed 8 goals and 2 assists in 28 appearances during the season.
His campaign was interrupted by a lengthy injury layoff from September through early February, but he returned to play a key role in the club’s late-season resurgence.
“This trophy means everything,” Gueye said after the match. “We worked hard, we suffered through the season, but in the end, we are rewarded.”
Aberdeen’s triumph not only adds silverware to their cabinet but also secures European football for next season.
The club will compete in the UEFA Europa League, a return to continental competition that fans will welcome after years of near misses.
Saturday’s result will go down as one of the most memorable moments in recent Scottish football history—a stunning cup upset that ended Celtic’s domestic dominance and returned Aberdeen to the summit of the national game.
ABERDEEN FOOTBALL CLUB.
2024/25 SCOTTISH CUP WINNERS!! pic.twitter.com/rLKgKUUztH
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 24, 2025
