Match Report: Valiant Valencia CF lose Copa del Rey final on penalties

Valencia CF's Copa del Rey quest came to an agonising end in the final in Seville, as they lost out to Real Betis Balompié on penalties. After an opening goal from Betis' Borja Iglesias, Hugo Duro equalised, and the 1-1 scoreline continued through to extra time and the eventual shootout.

Valencia CF had a slow start to the game, with the opposition enjoying possession as they looked to hit on the break at every opportunity.

Iglesias made it 1-0 to Real Betis on the ten minute mark, turning in a chance inside the area.

Despite the early setback Valencia CF kept on pushing to equalise as quickly as possible, but struggled to settle. They found themselves dealing with through balls in between the lines, as the opposition dictated play until over the midway point in the first half.

Hugo Duro put Valencia CF back on terms with a brilliant chipped finish, following a delightful weighted ball by Ilaix Moriba into space. He niftily lifted the ball over Claudio Bravo as the goalkeeper rushed off his line, taking the score to 1-1.

Things remained that way through to the interval.

Valencia CF defended resolutely, with Mamardashvili producing heroics in the closing stages of the second half. The Georgian pushed out every shot from the opposition that came his way, except for two attempts that hit the woodwork.

Second half substitute Bryan Gil showed a great vision to pick out José Luis Gayà on a promising attack, then collected the ball to set up Carlos Soler -the midfielder missing his chance.

Regulation time ended with the score at 1-1, forcing extra time past midnight in Spain. 

The first half of extra time saw a raft of changes from both sides, who introduced fresh legs into the fray. Betis dominated in the closing minutes in the first half, but could not change the scoreline.

The game opened up in the second half of overtime, with an end-to-end spell of play. Bryan Gil came close to scoring from close range, as Valencia CF enjoyed a series of corners towards the end, but there was no avoiding a penalty shootout.

The first six penalties were all converted, including Valencia CF's Carlos Soler, Uros Racic and Gonçalo Guedes, before Yunus Musah missed from the spot. José Luis Gayà would put in the next penalty for Valencia CF, but Betis dispatched all of theirs to win the Copa del Rey shootout 5-4.

Match Details:

1. Real Betis: Claudio Bravo, Álex Moreno (Miranda, 109'), Bartra, Pezzella, Bellerín, Guido Rodríguez, Carvalho (Guardado, 102'), Juanmi (Joaquín, 86') Fekir (111'), Canales (Tello , 111') and Borja Iglesias (Willian José, 102').

1. Valencia CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier (Yunus Musah, 100'), Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Alderete, Gayà, Hugo Guillamón (Racic, 85'), Ilaix Moriba (Thierry R., 79'), Carlos Soler, Hugo Duro (Bryan Gil, 85') and Guedes.

GOALS: 1-0 Borja Iglesias, 10’; 1-1 Hugo Duró, 30’.

PENALTIES: 0-1 Carlos Soler; 1-1 Willian Jose; 1-2 Racing; 2-2 Joaquin; 2-3 Guedes; 3-3 Saved; 4-3 Tello; 4-4 Gaya; 5-4 Miranda.

REFEREE: Hernández Hernández. He booked Gabriel Paulista, Carvalho, Pezzella, Hugo Guillamón, Omar Alderete, Thierry R., Borja Iglesias, Carlos Soler, Tello.

VAR: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.

OBSERVATIONS: Final of the Copa de S.M. el Rey played at La Cartuja in Seville.

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