SEVILLE, Spain, April 24, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Real Betis won the Spanish Copa
del Rey on Saturday, beating Valencia 5-4 on penalties in Seville after a
thrilling final finished 1-1 after extra time.

   Valencia's Yunus Musah blazed over in the shoot-out, allowing Juan Miranda
the chance to score the winning penalty at La Cartuja as Betis claimed the
fourth major trophy in the club's 115-year history.

   Borja Iglesias had headed Betis in front but Hugo Duro equalised for
Valencia before half-time and neither side could find a winner, either in the
second period or extra time.

   But Musah's error and Miranda's cool head gave Betis the cup for a third
time, in their home city, following the club's two previous triumphs in 1977
and 2005.

   Betis captain Joaquin hoisted the trophy after it was presented to him by
the king of Spain, Felipe VI.

   "I have tears of emotion, tears of joy," said Joaquin. "It's what we all
wanted, to win a cup again, the Copa del Rey, as beautiful as we know it is."

   Joaquin, the 40-year-old winger, who made his debut for Betis aged 19 in
2000 and played in the final 17 years ago, came on in the 86th minute and
scored a penalty. It remains to be seen whether he decides this is a fitting
end now to what has been a remarkable career.

   "I am going to enjoy the moment," said Joaquin. "We are Copa del Rey
champions and we dedicate this to all the people who have been with us -- the
coaching staff, masseurs, cooks, waiters -- all those people whose work is
not seen but deserve as much credit as us."

   Many had billed this as a clash of styles, with the swashbuckling approach
of Betis tasked with breaking down the grit and resilience of Valencia, but
in reality both teams contributed equally to an open and enthralling final.

   "Football can be beautiful and it can also be cruel. It hurts," said
Valencia's Jose Gaya.

   It was only the second final in 14 years not to include any of Real
Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid and while Betis and Valencia are hardly
minnows in Spain, there was no doubting the weight of the occasion for both
clubs.

   Valencia won the Copa del Rey in 2019, beating Barca in the final, but a
fire-sale of key players under the controversial ownership of Peter Lim means
the team have been more concerned about relegation in recent seasons than
winning trophies.

   Betis, meanwhile, have spent three seasons in the second tier since they
last won it in 2005, the same year they finished fourth in La Liga, which
they still hope to replicate this season but have never managed to repeat
since.

   - Betis make fast start -

   Betis flew out of the blocks and took the lead in the 11th minute, a slick
move down the right seeing Nabil Fekir slide through Hector Bellerin, who
floated a superb cross into the area. Borja jumped high and headed straight,
the power of the connection enough to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.

   Valencia were shaking and Betis kept coming. Borja headed just wide and
then almost latched onto an underhit backpass by Mouctar Diakhaby, which
needed Mamardashvili to scramble clear.

   But the Betis assault subsided and in the 30th minute Valencia struck, a
brilliant counter-attack giving them a foothold in the final. Carlos Soler
steered a superb first-time pass from the right wing into central midfield,
where Ilaix Moriba had space to advance.

   Duro was racing away but the gap was tight, Moriba feathering the ball
through for his teammate, who scooped a delightful finish into the net.

   The second period grew increasingly frantic, an end-to-end contest
bringing Betis back into the ascendancy. Borja's effort was well blocked by
Valencia's Gabriel Paulista before Juanmi hit the post, his drive beating
Mamardashvili but not the frame.

   Fekir almost won it in the last 10 minutes but was denied by
Mamardashvili's legs while Soler had a chance in injury time after a
misplaced pass by Bellerin but Claudio Bravo made the stop.

   Joaquin had come on, a fairytale in his sights, but nobody could find a
winner and the quality dropped in extra time as fatigue and cramp set in.

   Soler and Uros Racic scored confident penalties for Valencia, matched by
those of Willian Jose and Joaquin for Betis, even if Mamardashvili got a hand
to Joaquin's shot.

   Goncalo Guedes and Andres Guardado made no mistake but Musah erred, firing
over to let Betis in. Cristian Tello and Gaya both scored, leaving Miranda
with the chance to win it. Mamardashvili jumped right, the ball went left.