Valencia stun deflated Barcelona to win Copa del Rey

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Barcelona wanted a trophy to ease their Champions League heartache but instead fell to another shock defeat as Valencia pulled off a thrilling 2-1 victory to win the Spanish Copa del Rey final on Saturday.

Chasing a record fifth consecutive triumph, Barca were undone by a relentless and gutsy Valencia side, who hung on after Lionel Messi pulled a goal back to set up a dramatic finish in Seville, Spain.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona reacts dejected after his side had a 1-2 loss against Valencia during the Spanish Copa del Rey final in Seville, Spain, May 25, 2019. /VCG Photo

By then, Valencia were already two up, Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo scoring twice in 13 frantic first-half minutes after the latter spurned a golden early chance that could have spared them a nerve-shredding last 17 minutes.

Messi drove the comeback effort and Goncalo Guedes twice should have wrapped it up for Valencia, missing a one-on-one and then an open goal before the final whistle blew.

Valencia's coach Marcelino Garcia Toral celebrates victory after his team won the Spanish Copa del Rey final in Seville, Spain, May 25, 2019. /VCG Photo

Valencia's coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, who might have been sacked when his team was four points off relegation in January, raced around the pitch in a frenzy. Barcelona's players sank to their knees.

"We always had faith," said Marcelino. "Beating Barcelona to win the cup is very special. We deserved to win."

Messi admitted on Friday his team had still not recovered from the "hard blow" suffered against Liverpool and certainly, they seemed too easily disheartened here, finding their fight only once it was too late.

Captain Daniel Parejo (C) of Valencia celebrates with the trophy next to King Felipe VI (R) of Spain after Valencia won the Spanish Copa del Rey final in Seville, Spain, May 25, 2019. /VCG Photo

Winning their first trophy since 2008, in the club's centenary year, completes a remarkable comeback campaign that, after 15 games had them languishing in 15th.

"We have made history," said captain Daniel Parejo. Gameiro added: "In the difficult moments we stayed close. I don't have the words to describe it."

Source(s): AFP