Valencia’s Goncalo Guedes reacts after the match against Athletic Bilbao at the Mestalla, Valencia March 2, 2022. — Reuters pic
MADRID, March 3 — Goncalo Guedes’s stunning strike earned Valencia a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday to take them back to the final three years after they won the title with a shock victory over Barcelona.
It was no more than Valencia deserved as they dominated the match against a Bilbao side bidding to reach the final for the third consecutive season, after losing the last two to Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Bilbao, Valencia, roared on by the crowd at a sold-out Mestalla stadium, created the better chances.
Portugal winger Guedes scored the winner just before halftime, rifling an unstoppable 30-yard shot into the net following a corner.
Valencia will face the winners of the other semi-final between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano on Thursday. Betis lead 2-1 from the first leg in Madrid. — Reuters