Real Betis booked a Copa de Rey final date with Valencia after Borja Iglesias scored a 91st-minute goal to seal a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Thursday and a 3-2 win on aggregate.
Last month’s first leg clash between the two sides ended 2-1 in favor of Betis, and for a moment Vallecano thought they would force extra-time when Bebe scored a stunning free-kick with 10 minutes to go.
It was never to happen though as Borja squeezed home an equaliser in the first minute of added time to force a 1-1 draw, which was enough to see them through.
🤩🤩🤩
What a night!#BetisAlé pic.twitter.com/tfT7b6Rn63
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) March 4, 2022
40-year-old Joaquin played a critical role for the equaliser, and will be in the final for the first time since 2005 when he won the competition as a 23-year-old.
Joaquín won the Copa del Rey with Real Betis in 2005 when he was 23.
He has a chance to win it again in 2022 at the age of 40 😲 pic.twitter.com/fV8MhqTC5R
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 3, 2022
It has been a superb season for Betis, who sit third in Laliga and are through to the Europa Legue knockout phase.
• Copa de Rey finalists 🇪🇸
• Third in La Liga 🥉
• In the Europa League final 16 👀We need to talk about Real Betis 👏 pic.twitter.com/3KU45sFM2m
— GOAL (@goal) March 3, 2022
Speaking after the match, coach Manuel Pellegrini analysed their season so far, thanking the fans for the support.
“We have to celebrate because it’s a great achievement but tomorrow we will focus again on La Liga, because we’re third and we want to fight for the Champions League until the end,” added Pellegrini.
They will however have to battle more if they are to seal a Champions League spot, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid breathing on their necks.
They will now face Valencia in the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will be overwhelming favourites.
