VCF return to Seville, 1999-2019 ??

Valencia CF will return to Seville for another Copa del Rey Final at the Benito Villamarín on the 25th of May after beating Real Betis Balompié by (1-0, 3-2 aggregate) on Thursday night at Mestalla in the Centenary Valencia CF played a memorable Copa del Rey Final against Atletico Madrid at La Cartuja on the 26th of June 1999.

Valencia CF took the lead just before the halfway mark through Claudio López as he latched onto a pinpoint return ball which the Argentine hook first time on the volley past Jose Molina at the near post.

Gaizka Mendieta doubled Valencia CF’s lead over the half-hour mark with a piece of artistry against Atletico Madrid a move from the back, the ball was played out wide to Ilie on the left wing. His cross was slightly behind Mendieta, who had to stutter his run on the edge of the area and chest the ball with his back to goal. Then he flicked the ball over his head, out-foxing the entire Atletico defence, and on the volley slotted past keeper José Francisco Molina.

Claudio López sealed the win with little less than ten minutes to go holding onto a Santiago Cañizares pass which the Argentine brought down with an exquisite touch and then he bombed forward rounding Jorge Molina after a blistering run down the right squeezing it home inside the near post leaving a cluster of Atletico players in his wake.

Valencia will look to rekindle the spirit of that magical night in Seville 20 years later, on the 25th of May at the Benito Villamarín against holders FC Barcelona looking to manage another Copa del Rey upset which would be a fitting hallmark to the Centenary.