LONDON — Spain, the champion of the soccer world, finds as many ways to express its sport as it does its regional politics.

Fans of Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid filled Romania’s new national stadium in Bucharest to capacity Wednesday. They wore similar colors because both clubs normally dress in red and white — but their approach was as contrasting as any could be, as Atlético beat Athletic, 3-0, in the final of the Europa League.

Bilbao is a team built of Basque players. The supporters would follow these players to the ends of the earth, but the moment they knew the game was over was when Iker Muniaín, the 19-year-old they call the Basque Messi, lay face-down on the turf, sobbing his heart out.

That was after the third Atlético goal, scored by a Brazilian, Diego. The first two were marvelous, ruthless examples of finishing from Radamel Falcao, a Colombian.