Valencia defeat Athletic Bilbao to reach Copa del Rey final
Goncalo Guedes’ scintillating strike sent Valencia into the final of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao sealed a 2-1 victory on aggregate.
Proud of this team
Proud of what we are
Proud of our #VCFDNA🦇#ADNBroncoyCopero 🧬💪🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZeFmaugTV0
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) March 3, 2022
Guedes’ thundering effort at the end of the first half decided the match at Mestalla and the tie after the first leg had finished 1-1 at San Mames last month.
Another @gguedesoficial stunner that sends the
Mestalla crowd into raptures🏟️🦇🙌🔥#ADNBroncoyCopero 🧬💪🏆#VCFAthletic 🦇🦁 pic.twitter.com/S6b5mVkaTc— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) March 2, 2022
Valencia will meet either Real Betis or Rayo Vallecano in the final in April, with Betis looking to capitalise on a 2-1 advantage when they play the second leg at home on Thursday.
We are going to Seville! 🔥#ADNBroncoyCopero 🧬💪🏆 pic.twitter.com/5ooCUhoQGR
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) March 2, 2022
With Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla all suffering early exits, Betis are arguably favourites now to win the competition. They are the highest-placed La Liga side left, sitting third, six spots above Valencia in ninth.
But after defeating Athletic, Valencia will fancy their chances of clinching a ninth Spanish Cup.
They are the most recent winners remaining, after they beat Barcelona to lift the trophy in 2019, when Marcelino, now Athletic coach, was in charge.