That concludes our commentary of the Copa del Rey final between Real Betis and Valencia! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
After a cagey, tight and circumspect 120 minutes of football, Pellegrini’s Real Betis win the Copa del Rey 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation. Iglesias’ header after 11 minutes was cancelled out by Duro’s chipped finish at the half-hour mark, which left the two deadlocked at half-time. Despite chances for both sides to equalise, Mamadashvili and Bravo were not to be beaten, with the two teams eventually appearing to settle for spot-kicks in an extra-time period which was stop-start and strenuous. Musah’s missed opportunity in the shoot-out allowed the Andalusians to take the lead and Miranda’s final dispatch sealed the win after five successfully converted penalties. Joaquin lifts the cup again, 17 years after last holding it aloft as Real Betis win the Copa del Rey!
MIRANDA WINS THE CUP FOR REAL BETIS! The 22-year old left-back beats Mamardashvili, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way before collapsing to the turf in tears of disbelief! Real Betis emerge victorious from the penalty shoot-out by a score of 5-4!
Both captains score during the shoot-out as Gaya steps forward and lashes his left-footed finish into the centre of the goal - matching Joaquin's earlier effort! 4-4!
Tello gives Real Betis the lead in the penalty shoot-out, using the inside of his right foot to caress the ball into the goal! 3-4!
MUSAH MISSES! The United States international steps up and looks to curl his penalty into the top corner, but he gets his angles wrong and skies it! It remains 3-3!
Mexico international Guardado makes no mistake with his penalty, slotting it low into the same corner as Guedes who preceded him! It's 3-3!
Guedes makes it 3-2 with a strong finish to his penalty, side-footing the spot-kick into the far corner!
It's close, but Joaquin gets it done! Not quite a shot and not quite a chip, the Real Betis captain narrowly puts his penalty past Mamardashvili, who got a hand to it! 2-2!
Racic puts Valencia ahead again! The short but confident run-up sees Racic beat Bravo with ease! 2-1!
1-1! Jose is up first for Betis and steps up coolly - sending the goalkeeper the wrong way before finishing his penalty to the right!
NO DOUBT! Soler steps up and sends his penalty high into the goal! Bravo guessed correctly but had no chance! 1-0!
120 minutes were still not enough to separate Real Betis and Valencia, with the 2021/22 Copa del Rey final coming down to penalties. A nervy second extra-time period also failed to produce any noteworthy opportunities, with both sides content to play slowly through midfield and tackle tenaciously when in defence. A total of 44 fouls conceded and nine yellow cards indicate the type of match it’s been; fittingly it will be decided by set-pieces.
120' + 1' FULL-TIME IN EXTRA-TIME: REAL BETIS 1-1 VALENCIA.
119' The fourth official indicates just one minute of added time will be played at the end of the 120 minutes. Is there enough time for a late, late winner?!
117' Both sides enter this match on the back of losses, with Real Betis’ trip to Elche ending in a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday, while Villarreal bested Valencia by two goals to nil on the same day.
115' Soler’s corner from the right floats to the back post for Gaya, who manages to get onto the ball but finds himself under immediate pressure from Ruibal. The captain drives to the byline and squeezes out a cross but it’s put directly into the hands of Bravo.
Tello
Yellow Card
113' Tello is shown a yellow card just two minutes after coming on for an ill-advised sliding tackle on Correia.
Aitor Ruibal
N. Fekir
111' Fekir won't be able to continue after an apparent problem with his left leg. Ruibal takes his place in the side.
Tello
Sergio Canales
111' Canales is recalled to the bench with nine minutes left in regulation. Tello is called to see out the remainder.
110' The match is being played at a walking pace at times now, with Soler strolling through the middle of the pitch and Gil to the left of him - sauntering down the wing. The heat can’t be discounted in combination with the 110 minutes they’ve played as well as the fact that both these sides were in action four days ago.
108' Racic slides into a challenge which catches Fekir before winning the ball, sending the forward to the turf holding his left leg. After taking a moment to stretch it out he pops back to his feet which will be positive news for Pellegrini, who won’t want to lose his talisman this late into the match.
106' Real Betis get the final period of play underway from the kick-off!
No breakthrough for either side after the first half of extra-time, with a lack of chances characterising the 15-minute period. A number of substitutions made for a stop-start affair with neither team able to settle on the ball for long enough stretches to make their impact felt. With just a quarter-hour separating the two sides from potential penalties, will they choose to roll the dice from spot-kicks, or press for a late go-ahead goal.
105' + 2' HALF-TIME IN EXTRA TIME: REAL BETIS 1-1 VALENCIA.
105' + 1' The fourth official indicates just one minute will be added at the end of the first half of extra-time.
Juan Miranda
Álex Moreno
105' Substitution Alexandre Moreno Lopera Juan Miranda González
104' Fekir is brought down on the edge of the penalty area but the referee isn’t interested as Betis are instructed to play on with possession.
A. Guardado
William Carvalho
102' Pellegrini makes two changes at once as Carvalho is also withdrawn, with Guardado taking his place.
Willian José
Borja Iglesias
102' Iglesias comes off and looks absolutely exhausted. He departs as the top scorer of the 2021/22 Copa del Rey with five goals. Jose is his replacement.
Y. Musah
D. Foulquier
100' Foulquier makes way for Musah in the 100th minute of the match as Bordalas injects pace into the side.
99' Fekir's delivery into the penalty area from the set-piece is cleared easily by Diakhaby.
Carlos Soler
Yellow Card
98' Despite his age, Joaquin is still able to get by defenders as he dribbles his way through midfield, only to be stopped abruptly by Soler. The referee issues a yellow card to the Valencia player and gives Real Betis a free-kick 35 yards from goal.
97' Real Betis’ Joaquin was in the starting XI in 2005 when the Andalusian’s last lifted the Copa del Rey. Today, at the age of 40, he starts on the bench for Pellegrini’s Verdiblancos.
Borja Iglesias
Yellow Card
95' Iglesias goes through the back of Gabriel and gives away a free-kick in midfield but the referee halts the restart to award the goalscorer a yellow card.
93' Betis have started the extra-time period on the front foot looking to break down their opponents but with all 11 players sat inside their own half and legs and minds tiring - it won’t be easy to craft their way through.
91' The referee blows his whistle and we're underway for extra-time!
90 minutes weren't enough to separate the two sides as Real Betis and Valencia will head into extra-time to settle the cup final. Both sides failed to capitalise on their chances in the second half, with Bravo and Mamardashvili doing their best to foil the best intentions of Fekir and Soler; who were instrumental in their sides' build-up play. With two 15-minute periods to come and the prospect of penalties looming, who will be able to hold their nerve?
90' + 3' END OF REGULATION: REAL BETIS 1-1 VALENCIA.
Thierry Correia
Yellow Card
90' + 3' Yellow Card Thierry Rendall Correia
O. Alderete
Yellow Card
90' + 2' Alderete's cynical foul on Iglesias earns the centre-back a yellow card.
90' + 1' The fourth official indicates three minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
90' Fekir’s late corner is met by Soler, who heads it to the edge of the penalty area for Bellerin to trouble from the second phase.
88' Soler’s corner from the right finds an open Correia but his ineffective header towards goal is intercepted easily by Carvalho.
Joaquín
Juanmi
86' Real Betis' first change of the match is an inspirational one, with club legend, captain and Copa del Rey winner Joaquin coming on to replace Juanmi.
Bryan Gil
Hugo Duro
85' The goalscorer is replaced as Duro makes way for Gil with five minutes to play.
U. Račić
Hugo Guillamón
85' Bordalas intelligently takes Guillamon off the pitch before the midfielder picks up a second booking. He finishes the match with an incredible seven fouls conceded in 85 minutes. Racic is his replacement.
83' INCREDIBLE SAVE! Carvalho drives forward through the vacated centre of the pitch before entering the penalty area and slipping while in possession. The Portugal international manages to slip a pass through the defence for an onside Fekir but the forward is denied at the near post by Mamardashvili!
81' Guillamon comes sliding through and takes out Juanmi right in front of the referee. The Betis players are incensed with the match official, who fails to produce a second yellow for the midfielder which would have seen him sent off. Pellegrini’s side will have to accept just a free-kick.
Thierry Correia
Ilaix Moriba
79' Confirmation of the change for Valencia as Correia comes onto the pitch but it’s Moriba who makes way - as the former Portugal under-21 international is tasked with playing slightly more inside.
78' It looks as though Valencia are preparing their first substitution of the match as we approach the final 10 minutes of regulation. Correia looks to be coming on for los Che, most likely for Foulquier.
76' Fekir teases a left-footed cross to the far post looking for Carvalho but Diakhaby gets himself in the way to get the ball away from his 18-yard box.
Hugo Guillamón
Yellow Card
74' Guillamon is finally shown a yellow card after his fifth foul conceded, after stepping across Fekir and bringing him down.
G. Pezzella
Yellow Card
72' A poor pass back from Bellerin to Pezzella is almost intercepted by Moriba on the edge of Real Betis’ penalty area, prompting the centre-back to slide into a clumsy challenge. It’s a yellow for the Argentina international - the third of the match.
70' Juanmi gives away a cynical foul, barging through the back of Foulquier during an aerial duel in which the Real Betis player had no intention of going for the ball. It’s a free-kick deep in Valencia’s half which Mamardashvili will take.
68' Canales fails to find the bottom corner after receiving Juanmi’s pass and taking a touch to set himself before sending a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s left-hand post.
66' Valencia have won the Copa del Rey the last three times they’ve made the final, with 1994/95’s loss to Deportivo La Coruna the last time they’ve failed to lift the cup.
64' HOW IS THE MATCH STILL LEVEL!? Iglesias gets on the end of the loose ball inside the penalty area and immediately puts his back to goal before slipping Juanmi through on goal. The winger fashions a shot from a narrow angle but Mamardashvili makes himself big to block the effort!
62' Fekir shifts out to the right wing and prods a pass forward looking for the underlapping run of Bellerin but he’s unable to get by Alderete, who shields it out for a goal-kick.
60' Fekir twists and turns inside the penalty area before poking a square pass to Iglesias. The striker’s first touch gets him by Alderete in a tight space but his shot is ultimately blocked by a sliding Gabriel.
58' Nothing has changed to the score as we approach the hour but it's not due to a lack of trying, with both sides fashioning more than enough to break the deadlock. Both coaches have kept their starting XIs on the pitch thus far, though changes will surely be on their way soon.
56' Soler gets the crowd on their feet in the corner of the stadium as he goes across to take a set-piece from the right flag but his delivery is poor, allowing Pezzella to clear the danger with his head.
54' WHAT A CHANCE! Soler drifts out to the right wing and delivers an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area for the unmarked Moriba. The midfielder scuffs his volley, failing to turn it towards goal as Rodriguez is able to scramble it away! It surely would have been a goal had he connected properly!
52' Real Betis have made the final of the Copa del Rey on four occasions before today. Three of those matches have gone to extra time and/or penalties, with their loss to Athletic Bilbao in 1931 the only time it was settled in 90 minutes.
50' Foulquier delivers a dangerous cross to the far post from the corner of the penalty area, prompting Bravo to leap off his line to punch the ball away preemptively.
48' The referee denies Valencia’s shouts for a penalty after Duro goes over in the penalty area. It did appear as though Bartra had two hands on the back of the forward but there wasn’t enough contact according to the match official as we play on from a throw.
46' Valencia get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Both sides possess more than enough quality from the bench to change things. Betis should continue to press and harry their opponents, switching play from left to right in order to create gaps. Former Barcelona winger Tello as well as 40-year old talisman Joaquin could provide the incision and clever dribbling necessary to break down the low block. Valencia will look to keep things tight at the back and frustrate their opponents, before hitting on the counter in the late stages when tiredness sets in. United States international Musah as well as Gil - on loan from Tottenham - could fit the bill as the match wears on.
A cagey and physical first half at La Cartuja comes to a close with Real Betis and Valencia locked in a 1-1 battle for the cup. The Verdiblancos started as the better side, pressing forward at every opportunity looking to stretch the play and their endeavour was rewarded after just 11 minutes thanks to Iglesias’ soaring header following a Bellerin cross. Bordalas’ side turned the match into a battle though and got the better of their opponents on the half-hour mark when Duro latched onto Moriba’s incisive pass before chipping Bravo to cap the counter-attack with an equalising goal. The first half saw 16 fouls conceded and two yellow cards dished out - which could be a sign of things to come.
45' + 2' HALF-TIME: REAL BETIS 1-1 VALENCIA.
45' The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppgaes.
43' OFF THE POST! INCREDIBLE! Canales again picks up possession of the ball but this time drives into the penalty area before cutting inside and firing a low strike that takes the slightest of deflections on the way through - putting it onto the base of the woodwork! It remains 1-1!
42' Canales cuts inside from the right and plays a lovely incisive pass towards the left wing looking for the run of Moreno but Foulquier steps across to make a crucial interception.
41' Guedes takes a Valencia corner from the right but Fekir meets the delivery at the near post and clears it away.
40' Moriba’s fantastic footwork gets him free of Fekir in midfield but the forward has a second bite at the former Barcelona player - bringing him to the ground and giving away a free-kick which is taken quickly.
38' Fekir whips the free-kick into the area but Juanmi isn’t able to steer his header towards goal as it’s cleared away narrowly.
37' The battle between Guillamon and Fekir continues, with the Valencia player dragging down his opponent on the right touchline. It’s in a good position for Fekir’s left-footed delivery as the Betis players get forward for the set-piece.
36' With less than 10 minutes left in the half it’s delicately poised, with both sides more than capable of finding a breakthrough before the interval. You feel set-pieces will be an important factor in this match with the amount of fouls and free-kicks being given away.
34' A Real Betis attack comes to an end disappointingly after Fekir’s flailing arm catches the face of Guillamon 18 yards from Valencia’s goal. It’s a free-kick to Bordalas’ side, who will clear their lines promptly.
32' Real Betis find themselves in a tight match after taking the lead and looking relatively comfortable early. Bordalas’ sides will never make it easy for the opponent - especially in an important match - which means the Andalusians will have to keep their intensity up for the entirety of the 90 minutes.
Ilaix Moriba
Assist
30' Moriba's lovely defence-splitting pass is the assist for Duro's equaliser.
Hugo Duro
Goal
30' VALENCIA GET THEMSELVES BACK INTO THE GAME! 1-1! After winning possession in their own half, Valencia immediately get the ball up the pitch on the counter-attack, finding Moriba in the centre-circle unmarked. He prods a pass between Bartra and Bellerin for Duro, who charges into the penalty area and scoops a delightful finish into the net!
28' RISKY! Diakhaby turns and fires a pass back to his goalkeeper, which is narrowly intercepted by Iglesias. Mamardashvili comes screaming off his line to get to the ball first and almost has the ball put between his legs but eventually manages to secure possession after a nervy couple seconds.
26' Players are falling over everywhere off the ball as a number of individual battles are ramping up. Carvalho had initially stayed down after a tackle from Guillamon but Bellerin was soon to follow before a free-kick is finally awarded to Betis near the centre-circle.
24' Carvalho launches a long pass over the top of the defence for Fekir but Mamardashvili meets the flight of the ball on the edge of the penalty area, catching it cleanly.
23' Bellerin gets into the penalty area and drives to the byline before pulling a pass back to the penalty spot but a lack of team-mates in the area allows Diakhaby to clear the danger temporarily.
22' These two sides have met once in LaLiga this season so far, with Real Betis beating Valencia comfortably; 4-1. It’s the third time the Andalusian club has beaten los Che in their last five meetings.
20' The match continues to heat up as Guillamon cuts across to bring Iglesias down right in front of the technical areas. It’s been a physical battle on the pitch in the opening 20 minutes with both sides establishing a presence early.
18' The referee is already forced to come over to the touchline to speak to Bordalas, who has been on the edge of his touchline furiously barking instructions and opinions since the first minute. With his side down a goal the fiery coach will only get more involved - much in contrast to Pellegrini.
16' WHAT A CHANCE! Again Soler attempts to find the run of Guedes with a long delivery - this time from a set-piece - but the outstretched forward is unable to get a toe to the ball, allowing Bravo to collect it at the last possible second.
William Carvalho
Yellow Card
14' A cynical tackle from Carvalho on Guedes stops a Valencia counter-attack 35 yards from goal - earning the midfielder a yellow card.
13' Iglesias’ goal in the final takes him to the top of the Copa del Rey scoring charts, with his fifth breaking a tie with Mallorca’s Angel Rodriguez, Levante’s Daniel Gomez and Alfredo Ortuno from Cartagena.
Borja Iglesias
Goal
11' IGLESIAS POWERS BETIS AHEAD! 1-0! It’s a well-worked goal from the Verdiblancos as Fekir picks up possession in midfield before spotting the overlapping run of Bellerin down the right flank. The full-back puts a perfect cross into the area for Iglesias, who attacks it with vigour and leaves the goalkeeper no chance!
Bellerín
Assist
11' It's a textbook cross from the right-back, who picks up his head to spot a team-mate before finding the rising Iglesias for the assist.
9' Soler sprays a pass forward looking for the run of Guedes but Bellerin shows off his speed to beat his man to the ball, putting it out for a throw-in which allows his team to reogranise.
7' Fekir and Canales work the ensuing set-piece short in order to provide a better angle for the former to cross but Juanmi carelessly strays offside, causing the attacking move to come to an abrupt halt.
Gabriel Paulista
Yellow Card
5' The referee stops play and shows Gabriel a yellow card for an incident off-the-ball which has left Iglesias on the ground holding his face.
3' Fekir drives to the edge of the penalty area before going over under heavy pressure from Alderete but the referee is happy to let play continue - much to Betis’ dismay.
1' Real Betis get the 120th Copa del Rey final underway from the kick-off!
Valencia make one alteration to the side that beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 to earn their spot in the show-piece event in early March. Gil makes way with Guillamon preferred in midfield.
Real Betis make three changes to the XI that drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano on March 3 - securing their passage to the final. Bellerin is preferred to Sabaly at right-back, while Barta is in for Gonzalez at centre-back. The final switch is at striker, where Jose is replaced by Iglesias.
VALENCIA XI (5-2-1-2): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Jose Gaya, Omar Alderete, Gabriel Paulista, Mouctar Diakhaby, Dimitri Foulquier; Hugo Guillamon, Ilaix Moriba; Carlos Soler; Goncalo Guedes, Hugo Duro.
REAL BETIS SUBS: Rui Silva, Edgar Gonzalez, Victor Ruiz, Youssouf Sabaly, Juan Miranda, Andres Guardado, Cristian Tello, Willian Jose, Joaquin, Diego Lainez, Aitor Ruibal, Rodri.
REAL BETIS XI (4-2-3-1): Claudio Bravo; Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, German Pezzella, Alex Moreno; Guido Rodriguez, William Carvalho; Sergio Canales, Nabil Fekir, Juanmi; Borja Iglesias.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let's take a look at how the two sides will be lining up - starting with Real Betis!
It’s a second appearance in the final for Valencia in the last four editions of the tournament, with los Che beating Barcelona 2-1 to lift the cup in the 2018/19 season. Sitting 10th in LaLiga, Jose Bordalas’ side have bettered Utrillas, Arenteiro, Cartagena, Baleares, Cadiz and Athletic Bilbao en route to an opportunity to win their ninth title.
Twice winners of the Copa del Rey, Real Betis have not featured in a final since their 2-1 win over Osasuna after extra time in 2004/5. The match is poised well for Manuel Pellegrini’s fifth-place side, who are playing the final in their own city; Seville. It hasn’t been an easy route to this point for the Verdiblancos, who have beaten Alicante, Talavera and Real Valladolid as well as city-rivals Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano to reach this point.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Copa del Rey final between Real Betis and Valencia!
Commentary