On A Day Like Today: Valencia CF win their fourth Copa

On July 2nd, 1967, Valencia CF ended a drought of almost a decade without a trophy by winning the Copa, after beating the dominant force in the competition, Athletic Club, 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Captain Roberto Gil lifted the cup in front of 30,000 proud Valencianistas.

The tournament had seen the club overcome two Segunda División sides in the opening stages: Cadiz 1-2 and 6-0 in the Round of 32, and Real Betis with a 3-0 win having lost 2-1 in the Round of 16 first leg.

In the quarter finals they met the favourites, Real Madrid, and goals from Jara and Waldo enabled them to triumph 2-1 in the first leg at Mestalla. The return fixture, held on June 11th, was played at the Bernabéu, and saw Valencia CF take a 0-1 win thanks to a Waldo goal and an Ángel Abelardo penalty save.

Awaiting in the semifinals were Elche. A 2-1 loss at Altabix meant that a comeback was needed at Mestalla,  and that was provided by a Waldo brace. The 2-0 second leg result meant that they went through to the final, competing for their fourth domestic cup.

In Madrid, coach Edmundo Suárez ‘Mundo’ fielded a starting XI of Abelardo, Sol, Mestre, Tatono, Paquito, Roberto, Poli, Guillot, Waldo, Claramunt and Jara.

A hard-fought final ended 2-1 in Valencia CF’s favour, with Jara and Paquito scoring the vital two goals against Athletic. The 1966/67 cup was theirs -VCF’s fourth such honour.