MATCH REPORT | Broken dream (1-0)

The team tried until the end but it couldn’t be

Real Betis Balompié will not be in the Copa del Rey final. The tried throughout the match and was better than their rival almost in the whole game. However, Valencia took advantage of the only ten minutes when they were superior, at the start of the second half, and scored their only shot on goal.

The initial minutes seemed like an example of how the match was going to be. Betis were trying to get the possession, while Valencia seemed more focused on defending and counterattacking. Joaquín had the first of the game after a good back pass from Jesé but his shot was blocked by Doménech. Canales looked for it with a long-range free kick headed to the top corner, where the keeper touched the ball with his fingertips.

The Green and Whites were having the ball play after play. In this way, Jesé produced a great shot after a long play that Doménech again deflected to corner kick. In that following play, Mandi jumped higher than the rest and connected a header that went wide by a whisker. A few moments before the end of the first half, a loss from Guardado provoked an attacking play for the locals, but the defenders avoided trouble.

The second half began and did it without changes in any of the teams. It seemed that the locals had come on with a higher pressure. In a play that began with luck for them, Gameiro crossed the ball and Rodrigo tapped in in the far post.

The goal felt hard on Betis and Valencia had the ball for a few minutes or the first time in the match. Betis eventually got their composure back and had a chance through Mandi, acting now almost as a striker, with a header that went over the bar. The players were taking higher risks at this moment and made some mistakes, giving the option to the rivals for counterattacks.

Loren almost made it with a header that did not go in by millimeters. The final one was for Canales, whose shot was deflected by Doménech. There ended the dream of playing a final.

 

Valencia CF: Doménech, Piccini, Paulista, Roncaglia, Gayà, Parejo, Coquelin, Wass (Soler 75'), Guedes, Gameiro (Diakhaby 84'), Rodrigo (Cheryshev 67').
Goals: Rodrigo (55').
Booked: Paulista (41').

Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Francis (Loren 64'), Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei (Feddal 84'), Guardado (Tello 78'), Carvalho, Canales, Lo Celso, Joaquín, Jesé.
Booked: Joaquín (90').

Referee: José Luis González González.