FCB Magpies have secured a place in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers after lifting the 2025 Rock Cup with a 3-1 victory over Lions Gibraltar FC.
The win not only confirms their spot in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers but also marks their second Rock Cup triumph in the last three seasons, following their first-ever victory in the 2022/23 campaign.
FCB Magpies made the perfect start to the final, finding themselves 2-0 up within the opening 20 minutes.
The first goal came courtesy of Juan Arguez Ruiz, who, following a brilliant advantage played by referee Jason Barcelo, charged down the Lions' left flank before cutting inside and firing a low-driven shot past Jordan Perez at the near post.
Magpies continued to find joy down the left flank throughout the match. This time, Arguez Ruiz turned provider, cutting back onto his right foot before sending a looping ball to the back post, where Julian Del Rio met it with a header over Perez to make it 2-0.
Despite Magpies’ dominant start, Lions were not going down without a fight and quickly pulled one back with a counterattack of their own.
Great link-up play from the German duo of Patrick Dullek and Samuel Awoyale saw Lions exploit the Magpies' left side. Awoyale beat his man and burst into the box before laying the ball back for Dullek, who ran onto it and placed his shot expertly past the diving Christian Lopez to make it 2-1.
Lions continued to push forward following the goal, but the Magpies' defence held firm, ensuring they went into the half-time break with the lead.
The second half started much as the first had ended, with Lions pushing for an equaliser while FCB Magpies focused on soaking up the pressure and breaking on the counter.
The eventual champions held strong for most of the match, with goalkeeper Lopez playing a crucial role in maintaining the lead, reacting quickly to deny Lions an equaliser from a corner in the 80th minute.
Lions came agonisingly close to levelling the score in injury time. Once again finding success down the left flank, Benjamin Seaton burst into the box and fired a low-driven shot into the net—only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Sensing an equaliser was imminent, Lions committed more players forward in the closing moments. Magpies capitalised on this, as a long clearance found substitute Dylan Borge in acres of space to seal the victory.
The Gibraltar U21 international powered forward with the ball, riding a last-ditch tackle before rounding Perez in the box and slotting home to make it 3-1 to FCB Magpies, securing their Rock Cup triumph.
