“A cup won against the odds”
Vallecano beat Sevilla 2-1 on Saturday to lift the Spanish Cup, claiming the trophy from a top-flight rival while playing in the second tier.
Spanish football loves to talk about hierarchy. Vallecano have just made it look flimsy.
The final at the Santiago Bernabéu turned Vallecano’s way before either side had found its rhythm. Sevilla had work to do, and Cristiano gave them a foothold with his goal in the 56th minute. They could not find another.
Sevilla had the urgency of a side chasing a final, but Vallecano were composed enough to keep the prize within reach. Seydouba Guilavogui, whose passing helped set the tone, completed 87 of 90 attempts. Rafael ran hard and finished the day with a goal; Pablo Gálvez supplied an assist before leaving in the 83rd minute.
Yet the equaliser never came. Sevilla’s seven corners and four shots on target made for pressure, not a way through.
For Vallecano, this is more than a fine day out. They had been left with a sour taste after surrendering a two-goal lead in the derby draw reported here in March. This time, there was no late escape for the opposition, and no need to dress up the achievement: Vallecano have taken the cup from a club playing a division above them.
Sevilla had entered as holders of no such burden—the previous winners were Ponferrada—but they leave as runners-up. Vallecano leave with the trophy, earned the difficult way.