The U19s gave their all for 120 minutes but could not make it to the semi-finals
The U19shad a big challenge ahead of them: to reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey against a Deportivo side that had only lost one game in league competition this season. The Yellows fought against all odds, forcing extra time and giving their all for 120 minutes, but they could not keep dreaming in the cup (3-4).
David Cifuentes’ side had things going their way very quickly with an early goal from Mario Linares, who beat Lemos in style after a killer pass from his strike partner Christian Ferreres. However, the visitors were not going to make things easy.
When the Yellows were at their best, the Galician team equalised when Mendes took advantage of a rebound inside the six-yard box after a good save by Adri Suárez. After a few minutes, Villaverde, in a good individual play, surprised by shooting into the top corner when it seemed like he was going to cross and scored the second for the away side.
Before the break, Luis Quintero pulled a magical pass out of the bag for Requena, who shot at goal, only for Lemos to make the save. With this score, the half-time whistle blew.
Villarreal did not give up and went for the fightback from the first minute of the second half. It didn’t take long for the equaliser to come with a good goal from Dani Requena, who picked up a ball that no one was approaching from the edge of the area and making the breakthrough to score.
Unax del Cura, who had just entered the field of play, had the third goal in his boots, but Lemos prevented him from scoring The Yellows striker himself was in charge of completing the momentary comeback by transforming a penalty committed against Ferreres.
The game was completely crazy and Baldomar equalised with a volleyed goal, impossible for Adri Suárez. And so it went to extra time. Unfortunately, Kevin scored for Depor in extra time and the good role of the U19s in this tournament was not rewarded.
The U19s return to División de Honor league action this Sunday against Albacete BP at the Andrés Iniesta Training Ground.
Lineups:
Villarreal U19s: Adri Suárez; Giovanni, Tafalla, Dani Mas, Ale Alcira (min. 100, Marcos Moreno); Quintero, Requena, Adri Ruiz, V. Moreno (min. 91, Lea Duarte); Mario Linares (min. 58, Unax del Cura), Christian Ferreres.
RC Deportivo: Hugo Lemos; Teijo, Vilela, Mendes, Berrocal; Mardones, Rubén López, Baldomar, Diego Gómez; Villaverde, Ochoa.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 5: Mario Linares. 1-1. Min. 31: Mendes. 2-1. Min. 41: Villaverde. 2-2. Min. 52: Requena. 3-2. Min. 67: Unax del Cura. 3-3. Min. 75: Baldomar. 3-4. Min. 97: Kevin.
Referee: Rafael Bueno Miralles. Booked: Requena, Quintero (Villarreal); Diego Gómez (RC Deportivo). Sent off: Requena (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal U19s and RC Deportivo, corresponding to the Youth Copa del Rey quarter-finals at the Mini Estadi.
