Villarreal U19s lift the Copa del Rey for the first time in their history, after beating Atlético Madrid comfortably
Champions! Villarreal U19s (Juvenil A) lifted the Copa del Rey for the first time in the Yellow Submarine’s history. They did it in style, putting away Atlético Madrid comfortably (0-3) and winning a historic double which lifts Miguel Ángel Tena’s side higher up in the U19 national panorama. Villarreal’s goals came from Jorge Galdón, who scored two, and Fer Niño.
An exceptional season. The Yellows put the cherry on top of a great campaign by lifting the much-desired U19s Copa del Rey, a title which is added to the league success also this season, and it could have even been a treble should they not have been defeated in a penalty shootout in the Copa de Campeones final.
Two great teams went head to head on the Antonio Peroles Municipal Stadium pitch in Roquetas de Mar. With such quality on both sides, it was Villarreal’s astuteness and intelligence that came out on top, with the Yellows not only showing their elite technical level on the pitch, but also their capacity to go into the final with the right mindset.
Atlético started brightly, but found themselves up against Filip Jorgensen, who put in an exceptional performance. In the ninth minute, the Yellows goalkeeper reacted like a cat to keep out Ricard’s effort.
Miguel Ángel Tena’s side soon went ahead on the night. In their first real dangerous piece of play, Izan and Arana combined down the right side, before the Canarian forward put in a cross into the area, which Galdón fired home, appearing by surprise at the back post.
After the goal, the Yellows had a period of dominance, which started to disappear as half-time approached. In the 45th minute, Villarreal returned to be on top. A recovery in their own half ended up with Fer Niño being brought down on the box after a quick counter-attack. The striker himself got up to take the spot-kick. His first effort was saved by Saldaña, but he put the rebound into the back of the net.
There was little between the two teams in the second half, with the Yellows knowing how to defend well and attack on the counter. In the 77th minute, Jorgensen once more stepped up to the plate, keeping out a potent Ferreras effort. Only a minute later, Villarreal killed off the game. Diego Collado, who had just came on, and goalscorer Galdón surprised the Atleti defence on the counter.
In added time, Del Campo was sent off for Atlético Madrid for unsporting conduct towards Villarreal captain Dani Pereiro.
Without anymore time left, the referee blew the final whistle and Villarreal lifted the first U19 Copa del Rey in their history.
Lineups:
Atlético Madrid: Saldaña; Cova (Nacho, m. 63), Marco, Alfredo, Medrano; Ricard, Castro, Ferreras (Silvano, m. 83), Cedric; Salido, Del Campo.
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Morcillo, Pereiro, Nwankwo, Tasende; Enric Martínez (José Luis, m. 75), Carlo Adriano, Morante, Galdón (Operé, m. 88); Fer Niño (Gonzaga, m. 84), Arana (Collado, m. 73).
Goals: 0-1. Min 13: Galdón. 0-2. Min. 45: Fer Niño. 0-3. Min. 78: Galdón.
Referee: Juan Manuel Ruiz Aguilera. Booked: Alfredo, Salido (Atlético Madrid); Arana, Nwankwo, Pereiro (Villarreal). Sent off: Del Campo (Atlético Madrid).
Matchday information: Match between Atlético Madrid and Villarreal corresponding to the U19 Copa del Rey final at the Antonio Peroles Municipal Stadium in Roquetas de Mar in front of 3,500 spectators.
