Copa Del Rey: Alaves See Off Celta Vigo, To Play Barca In Final
Deportivo Alaves made history on Wednesday night as they reached the Copa del Rey final after defeating Celta Vigo 1-0 in the semi-finals second leg at the Mendizorroza.
Second-half substitute Edgar Mendez’s 82nd-minute strike gave the Basque Country club a surprise spot in the May 27 final against holders FC Barcelona, who saw off Atletico Madrid to make their 39th appearance in the domestic competition’s final.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men claimed a commendable 0-0 draw in last week’s first leg at Celta Vigo.
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The victory means Alaves will be playing in the final of a major tournament only for the second time in its 96-year history, in what was the club’s biggest match since losing to Liverpool in the 2000-01 UEFA Cup final.
“We made history today,” Alaves captain Manu Garcia said. “And in the final in May we will seek glory.”
“Not even in our greatest dreams did we imagine something like this,” Alaves midfielder Kiko Femenia said. “But we deserved it after all that we have done until now.”
The last time both clubs met, Alaves stunned Barca with a 2-1 win at Camp Nou in the third round of Spanish league matches earlier this season, and the teams will meet again in the league this Saturday.
