SEVILLE, Spain: 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 equalized 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 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.
Real Betis beat Valencia on penalties to win Copa del Rey
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Real Betis beat Valencia on penalties to win Copa del Rey
- 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
Saudi rally driver sets her sights on the fast lane
- With podium finishes at home and ambitions abroad, Mashael Al-Howaish is ready for the next race
- Rally Jameel remained a defining chapter in Al-Howaish’s journey, exposing her to the demands of desert racing and pushing her beyond familiar limits
MAKKAH: What began as a chance encounter with motorsport has evolved into a growing rallying career for Saudi driver Mashael Al-Howaish.
With a growing list of domestic achievements and ambitions that extend beyond the Kingdom’s borders, Al-Howaish is carving out her place in a discipline defined by endurance, precision and mental resilience.
Her first exposure to rally driving came as she emceed the second Rally Jameel in 2023, the region’s first women-only navigational rally.
Witnessing the participants’ determination and competitiveness sparked Al-Howaish’s curiosity about motorsport and encouraged her to explore the possibility of competing herself.
A recommendation from Saudi rally driver Abdullah Bakhashab opened the door to her first professional opportunity with Lexus, marking the start of her rally career during the fourth Rally Jameel in 2024.
That quickly translated into results. As a Lexus team driver, Al-Howaish secured first place in her category and sixth overall among more than 40 participants.
Rally Jameel remained a defining chapter in her journey, exposing her to the demands of desert racing and pushing her beyond familiar limits. She continued to compete in subsequent editions, later earning second place overall and first in her category, before taking part in events at other race circuits across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
Despite entering a traditionally male-dominated sport, Al-Howaish says she did not perceive her path as a challenging one.
Instead, she highlights the extensive support she received on multiple fronts, from Saudi Arabia’s leadership and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation to corporate backing from Lexus.
She also credits her family, particularly her mother, for playing a vital role in shaping her confidence and determination long before she entered competitive racing.
Among her domestic successes, Al-Howaish considers her Time Attack victory in Jeddah last year as one of the most significant milestones of her career. One of her earliest races, it saw her progress steadily to first place in the Women’s Cup, reinforcing her belief in her own capabilities.
Another pivotal moment came in 2024, during the Racing Hill Climb, where she raced on mountainous terrain for the first time in Taif. The unfamiliar conditions tested her technical skills and adaptability, ultimately accelerating her development as a driver.
Competing at a high level has reshaped Al-Howaish both on and off the track. Racing alongside experienced champions has, she says, been both humbling and motivating.
Over time, she has developed a deeper understanding of the technical side of motorsport, spending increasing amounts of time studying vehicle dynamics and kinematics to better synchronize her driving style with the car. Personally, the sport has made her more confident in facing uncertainty, strengthening her ability to approach new challenges with focus rather than fear.
Al-Howaish is often viewed as a role model for Saudi women entering motorsport, something which makes her feel humble. She says she would be honored to inspire just one woman but believes role models exist across all levels of the industry. For her, progress comes from observing the strengths of others and applying those lessons to one’s own journey — a philosophy she sees as relevant far beyond motorsports.
Managing pressure and risk is an integral part of rallying, and Al-Howaish relies on preparation and composure to navigate intense stages. Planning ahead helps her mitigate challenges, while calm decision-making becomes crucial when conditions change unexpectedly.
In a sport where every second counts, she emphasizes that clarity and decisiveness often make the difference between success and setback.
Looking ahead, Al-Howaish has set her sights firmly on international competition. She aims to compete in the Middle East Rally Championship and hopes one day to line up at the start of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
She is also eager to explore other racing formats, viewing the learning process itself as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
To young Saudi women who aspire to follow a similar path but hesitate because they fear failing, Al-Howaish offers a simple word of advice — start.
She believes progress begins with the first step, learning through experience and allowing confidence to grow over time.
In a rapidly evolving motorsports scene, her journey stands as a reflection of what is increasingly possible in Saudi Arabia — both on the road and beyond it.
