Sports

Betis headed to 5th Copa del Rey final after getting past Rayo

Sports Desk, Mar 3 (EFE).- Real Betis needed a goal in stoppage time Thursday to draw 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal and seal a 3-2 win on aggregate.

Leading 2-1 after the first leg in Madrid, Betis took a conservative approach on their home ground in Seville and chances at either end were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes.

The visitors, who were likewise cautious to start, cranked up the intensity as the match wore on and the breakthrough came in the 80th minute, courtesy of Bebe, who beat Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo with a magnificent free-kick from 35 yards just three minutes after coming on as a sub.

Only a goal-line intervention by defender Ivan Balliu stopped Fekir from answering for Betis four minutes later and extra-time appeared inevitable until Borja Iglesias scored in the 92nd minute to seal the victory for the hosts.

Betis are 2-2 in their four previous Copa del Rey finals. They last hoisted the trophy in 2005.

Their opponent in the April 23 final will be eight-time Copa champions Valencia.

agr-lhg/dr

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