COPA DEL REY | VALENCIA 1-0 BETIS (3-2 AGG.)
Valencia book Cup final place in their Centenary year
Marcelino's team will face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on 25 May. Rodrigo scored the only goal in tonight's return leg before going off injured.
It's been 13 years since Valencia last contested the Copa del Rey final and it's only fitting that the competition will give them the chance of lifting some silverware in their centenary year. The coastal club, founded 100 year ago, booked their place in the Cup final after beating Betis by the minimum at Mestalla. They will meet Barcelona in the final on 25th May in Seville where, 20 years ago they lifted the trophy in a memorable final for Gaizka Mendieta's wonderful goal and those of Adrian Ilie and Piojo López against Atlético de Madrid. It was there, in Seville, where Valencia's golden age all began, and where thousands of their fans will be hoping the team can reap glory once again at the Benito Villamarín against Cup holders Barça in little under three months' time.
Scenes at Mestalla
Marcelino got the better of Quique Setién this evening and in the tie overall, in perhaps the crowning moment of his coaching career so far. The two away goals from the first leg proved decisive and when Rodrigo Moreno tapped the ball over the line 55 minutes into tonight's decider, Mestalla errupted.
Betis needing two goals in 25 minutes
After that Betis took control of the ball but their anxiety was palpable - with the score at 3-2, they now required two goals to win the tie. Valencia meanwhile remained organized, calm and ready to hit their guests on the break. Setién brought on his big guns: Loren for Francis, Tello for Guardado and Feddal for Sidnei, deploying the giant Moroccan as centre-forward. But they were always uip against the clock and on this occasion, the stars were aligned in Valencia's favour.