SEVILLA TOPS ATLETICO MADRID TO WIN COPA DEL REY

Despite being outplayed by Atletico Madrid, Sevilla used a goal early in the game and another in stoppage time to win the Copa Del Rey by a final score of 2-0.  Madrid defeated English Premier League entrant Fulham last week to win the Europa League title, but were unable to add Spain’s top club championship to their collection.  Sevilla ended their season very strong as well, earning Champions League qualification on the final weekend of La Liga play.

Soccer betting enthusiasts who backed Sevilla in the evenly priced contest earned a +160 profit from their investment.  Atletico Madrid was priced at +175, with the odds on the draw after 90 minutes posted at +225.  Sevilla ended their season in somewhat bizarre fashion—they won their last three games by a combined score of 5-0, but they’d lost the three games before that by a 5-0 aggregate score.

The first few minutes of the game was full of frenetic back and forth action.  Just three minutes in, Sevilla’s Jesus Navas got free down the right flank, and his crossing pass found Frederic Kanoute who shot the ball just wide.  Sevilla came right back, and just two minutes later Diego Capel curled the ball into the corner of the net past Atletico goaltender David De Gea.   Madrid quickly retaliated, peppering Sevilla’s goal with three shots within a matter of seconds but couldn’t score the equalizer.  Atletico Madrid kept the pressure on throughout the game, but was unable to beat Sevilla netminder Andres Palop.   Jesus Navas put the game away with his goal in stoppage time, earning Sevilla a 2-0 win.

Atletico Madrid controlled the time of possession and outshot Sevilla, but that was small consolation in the loss.  The two teams also were involved in an early second half brawl with players and coaches involved.  Surprisingly, the referee didn’t see fit to hand down any ejections and after restoring order play resume without incident the rest of the way.  

Goaltender and team captain Palop celebrated his team’s success:

"It was a difficult and extraordinary final. This is what we wanted, qualify for the Champions League and win the King's Cup. We are very happy."

The Copa Del Rey was the last of the major European national soccer championships scheduled.  With the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich set for this weekend, the soccer world will soon turn their attention to the World Cup which will begin in South Africa in early June.