MADRID, March 3: Valencia prevented Athletic Bilbao from reaching its third straight Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win in the second leg of the semifinals on Wednesday.
Gonçalo Guedes scored in the first half as Valencia advanced 2-1 on aggregate to reach its second Copa final in four seasons after winning its eighth title in 2019.
The other semifinal will be played on Thursday between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano in Sevilla. Betis won the first leg 2-1.
Valencia was in control during most of the match and created the better scoring chances as Athletic struggled to impose its game even after going down a goal.
Spain defender José Luis Gayà started for Valencia after he had been listed as doubtful because of a muscle injury, but had to be substituted in the first half.
Current Athletic coach Marcelino García Toral was Valencia’s manager when it won the title three years ago in a final against Barcelona.
Athletic lost the 2020 final to Basque Country rival Real Sociedad and the 2021 final to Barcelona. It had eliminated both Real Madrid and Barcelona on its way to this season’s semifinals.
Guedes scored the winner at Mestalla Stadium with a well-placed long-range shot in the 43rd minute.
The Copa final will be played on April 23 in Seville. (AP)
