Valencia CF win the 2018/19 Copa del Rey!

Valencia CF became the 2018/19 Copa del Rey winners on a momentous night at the Benito Villamarín, besting FC Barcelona for their first trophy since 2008. Two first half goals from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno gave victory to the team, who held on after Barça had pulled a goal back deep into the second half.

Some 21,000+ fans made the trip to Seville to cheer their side on, and they were the supporters singing loudest before kick-off. It would be they who celebrated the win at the final whistle as well, with the crowd erupting in elation.

A perfect start

Marcelino opted for a starting lineup that included Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno as strikers, leaving Santi Mina on the bench. Rodrigo would have an early chance after a misplaced intervention from Barça defender Clement Lenglet, as he rounded goalkeeper Jesper Cillessen and directed a shot towards goal, only to see it cleared off the line by Gerard Piqué.

Whilst FC Barcelona would have the better of possession, Valencia CF were always dangerous on the counterattack. They offered their opponents very few opportunities in the first stages of the contest, and broke with typical pace.

Gameiro with the opener

The opening goal came 21 minutes in, thanks to a rush down the left flank from José Luis Gayà, crossed in for a cool, calm and collected Kevin Gameiro to slide past Jordi Alba and finish. VCF took the lead, in scintillating style.

Rodrigo makes it two

Barça would attempt a response, but it would be Valencia CF who sent in a second, on 33 minutes. Carlos Soler beat Jordi Alba in a footrace down the right wing, looked up and squared to Rodrigo, who got his head onto the ball and put it into the net.

A rally from FC Barcelona would only come towards the end of the first half. Leo Messi had his first chances, but would only trouble Jaume Domenech in the VCF goal on one occasion before the halftime whistle.

Standing firm in the second half

There was an unchanged lineup for the second period, although FC Barcelona brought on Arturo Vidal and Malcom to try to switch things up a gear. The latter was dangerous down the left, and set up several of his teammates in the initial stages. Barça would also hit the post, and Valencia CF played slightly further back to preserve their lead -whilst still attacking with frequency.

A slip from Dani Parejo when taking a free kick led to the captain suffering an injury, for which he was taken off and Geoffrey Kondogbia was brought on, 65 minutes in.

Just after that change, Leo Messi would strike. A Clement Lenglet header, saved by Jaume, came back to the Argentine, who tapped the ball into the net to make it 1-2.

There were final charges from both sides, and when Barça committed players forward Gonçalo Guedes had two strikes with an open goal that went agonisingly wide. But there would be no late surprise from their opposition. Valencia CF held on strong to lift the 2018/19 Copa del Rey, capping their Centenary year in spectacular style.