The 2019 Copa del Rey triumph is one year old on Monday, May 25th, and is an opportune time to remember Valencia CF’s most recent trophy win. Two goals from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno saw the team dispatch the competition’s dominant force of previous seasons, FC Barcelona, 1-2 at the Benito Villamarin in Seville, giving VCF a first trophy for 11 years.

The final whistle gave way to an explosion of joy from the Valencia CF fans, who had been by far the louder set of supporters throughout the day. Those who had travelled to Andalusia celebrated in the stands long into the night, in a party that spread to Valencia and was extended for the team’s return home.

The club’s eighth Copa win occurred in the same city as their 1999 glory, but the main milestone coincidence was that it was one of the stellar accolades of the Centenary year, which had been celebrated throughout the season.

In the six years since the arrival of majority shareholder Peter Lim, Valencia CF have competed amongst the best teams in Europe, having qualified for the Champions League three times. The momentum of the Copa del Rey win allowed them to do that again by the end of the 2018/19 campaign, and added to the silverware on display at Mestalla following a vintage performance.