On A Day Like Today: Valencia CF win the Copa in Epi's swansong

On May 29th, 1949, Valencia CF won their second Copa in their history, beating Athletic Club in the final. The slim victory at Chamartín came through a goal from club legend Epi, who signed off on his time with the team in style.

Athletic Club were the favourites going into the game, despite Valencia CF having beaten them 5-0 (still their biggest win against the Basque side) the previous April. Whilst ‘Los Leones’ were regarded as cup specialists, three consecutive defeats in finals at Montjuic had cast doubts over VCF’s ability to lift the trophy.

It was common knowledge that the game would be Epi’s last appearance for Valencia CF. A member of the ‘Delantera Eléctrica’ forward line, he was an idol to the fans, and wasn’t about to let them down in his swansong. He had told teammate Mundo before the game “I promise you that I’m going to have a great game -and I’m going to score a goal. If they score another, then I will score another. I want to bid farewell to everybody by winning the Copa with Valencia CF.”

And score he did: A subtle finish from him beat Athletic Club goalkeeper Lezama and  proved to be the only goal of the game.

Silvestre Igoa would head the ball off the line as Valencia CF held on, denying Athletic an equaliser and winning the trophy, celebrated by the starting lineup of Eizaguirre, Díaz, Mundo, Seguí, Pasieguito, Puchades, Asensi, Álvaro, Monzó, Epi, Igoa and Pérez.

For Epi, it was the perfect swansong, after 9 seasons, almost 300 appearances and 115 goals.