The Real Betis of the Mexicans Andrés Guardado and Diego Lainez, became champions of the Copa del Rey, after beating Valencia in a penalty shootout where the American Yunus Musah failed from the twelve steps.
The city of Seville hosted the final in Estadio La Cartuja and despite being a different stadium from Benito Villamarín, the Betis flooded the streets of Seville to accompany their team, although inside the venue half were dressed in black and white. Despite everything, the match ended up being one of the most exciting to define a cup champion.
Although the definition of the commitment began very early with the goal by Boja Iglesias, at minute 11′, Betis began to support themselves with the verdiblanco color in their stands. A special atmosphere, although it ended up being detrimental due to the excess of confidence they had.
Betis’ goal served as a reaction from Valencia. Little by little they began to close ranks and the Valencian players to adjust lines, until a genius of Ilaix Moriba, with a precise pass to Hugo Duro , allowed him to be hand in hand with Claudio Bravo and he defined great way to tie the tie at 1.
Manuel Pellegrini decided to move the field at the end of the second half so that Joaquín entered the field of La Cartuja and received the ovation of the public present, both from Betis and Valencia, where he passed years ago. Despite this, the Betis withstood the Valencian offensive to force an extension.
Already with extra time, Andrés Guardado jumped onto the pitch for William Carvalho, had a good game, but penalties awaited.
Precisely, the Mexican was in charge of kicking the third penalty and placed to the right of the goal, Betis managed to remain calm from the twelve steps. Immediately, as if it were a qualifying match, the player from the United States Yunus Musah missed the penalty, after a charge that ended up coming out over Claudio Bravo’s goal.
Betis ended up celebrating with Juan Miranda, who scored the goal to define the series and give the Sevilla team its third Copa del Rey, after having triumphed in 1920 against Athletic of Bilbao and in 2005 against Osasuna directed by the Mexican coach Javier Aguirre .
Mexicans in history
Andrés Guardado and Diego Lainez join the history of Mexicans who have raised the Copa del Rey in Spanish football, where players like Hugo Sánchez, Rafa Márquez and Jonathan dos Santos were able to consecrate themselves in this domestic tournament.
In addition, there were two Mexican m They have played a final but could not consecrate themselves, as are the cases of Javier Aguirre, as coach of Osasuna in 2005 and Miguel Layún, with Sevilla in 2018, after being defeated against FC Barcelona.
Andrés Guardado adds another European title and the first in Spain
Andrés Guardado is the longest-lived Mexican soccer player playing in European soccer and one of the most successful. Against all odds he was able to take advantage of one of his last opportunities to become champion in Spain, after passing through Valencia and Deportivo La Coruña, where he played in the second division.
Although one of his most successful stages was at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where he won 4 titles between the League and the Super Cup, the former Atlas was able to be part of one of the best campaigns in the history of Real Betis.
Betis is in 5th position in the table and still aspires to qualify for the next UEFA Champions League, although he will have to wait for a slip of the Atlético de Madrid and not fail in any of the five remaining games to be played in LaLiga.
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