By Daily Sports on May 26, 2019

Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo scored as a valiant Valencia beat La Liga champions Barcelona to win the Copa del Rey.

Ernesto Valverde’s men said in the build-up that a win would help ease some of the pain of the Champions League loss to Liverpool, but they were sub-par again, in the Seville heat.

French forward Gameiro fired in a superb strike to give Valencia the lead before Rodrigo headed in the second.

Lionel Messi’s 73rd-minute strike gave Barca hope but they fell short.

After the match, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu backed Valverde to continue at the Nou Camp.

“I’ve always said that Ernesto has a contract for the next season, he’s the coach,” he said.

“I do not think this defeat is the coach’s fault.”

Valverde said: “When a coach loses you want to go again, to fight to overcome the next challenge. I know losing for this club is hard.”

Temperatures reached north of 30C inside Real Betis’ packed Estadio Benito Villamarin, but only one side wilted.

Victory meant coach Marcelino Garcia Toral ended a personal 20-game winless run in all competitions against Barcelona. (BBC)

•Photo shows Valencia players celebrating their victory over Barcelona on Saturday 

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 26, 2019

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