Valencia have won the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2007-08 after beating Barcelona 2-1 to increase the heat on Ernesto Valverde.
2018/2019 Copa del Rey
1-2
Match Reports
Barcelona were denied an unprecedented fifth successive Copa del Rey crown as they lost 2-1 to Valencia in Saturday's final, heaping the pressure on under-fire coach Ernesto Valverde.
Having had a realistic chance at a treble just a few weeks ago, Barca finish the season with only the league title to show for their efforts, a situation likely to increase Valverde's unpopularity among supporters.
Barca were way off their best in the first half at the Benito Villamarin and deservedly found themselves trailing 2-0 at the break, as Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno clinically punished the defending champions.
Valverde's men pushed forward desperately after the break and Lionel Messi pulled one back shortly after being denied by the post, but their dominance proved futile as Valencia held on to win the Copa for the first time since 2008.
Match Events
5' Pique makes goal-line clearance after Lenglet error
Lenglet is caught napping by Rodrigo before the latter plays in Gameiro, who leaves Cillessen for dead and only has the goal at his mercy but for a goal-line block by Pique!
21' GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Valencia (Gameiro)
GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!! FIRST BLOOD TO VALENCIA!! Marcelino calls for calm but his requests are futile as Valencia’s fans celebrate a shock opener! The offside flag stays down as Gaya receives a long ball from deep before the left-back sends it low to Gameiro who makes no mistake past Cillessen! It’s 1-0 to Los Ches in this Copa del Rey final!
33' GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Valencia (Rodrigo)
GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!! RODRIGO DOUBLES LOS CHES’ LEAD!! Excellent work by Parejo in midfield as he leaves his marker for dead and plays a brilliant throughball to the pacy Soler, who beats Alba for speed before crossing for the grateful Rodrigo to head it home from a couple of yards out! 2-0 to Valencia, and Marcelino’s men are now in dreamland!
45' Messi with a great chance!
GREAT SAVE BY DOMENECH! The Valencia keeper has to dive at full-stretch to deny Messi with a save for the cameras at such a vital moment of the match! Rakitic attempts to follow it up with a low effort shortly afterwards only for Domenech to find an easier time keeping that chance out!
77' GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Valencia (Messi)
GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! MESSI PULLS ONE BACK!! The Argentine playmaker taps a loose ball into the back of an empty net following Domenech’s save from Lenglet’s header for his 10th goal in five Copa del Rey finals! It’s now 2-1, and the Blaugrana support are for the first time raising the volume at the Benito Villamarin!