This past week was always going to be an important one in the Spanish footballing calendar, as the Copa del Rey final was held on Saturday night, and Athletic Club were the victors, ending a 40-year wait for another Copa del Rey. That, and the week’s other headlines, are discussed below. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Athletic Club are champions again
The big match of the week in Spanish football was the 2023/24 Copa del Rey final, which Athletic Club won on penalties against RCD Mallorca. With the score still at 1-1 following a nerve-wracking 120 minutes, the final was decided from the penalty spot and the Basques triumphed 4-2 in the shootout, with Álex Berenguer converting the winning penalty to earn Athletic Club their first Copa del Rey since 1984.
Javier Aguirre’s RCD Mallorca earn the respect of fans
Despite losing the Copa del Rey final, the RCD Mallorca squad coached by Javier Aguirre earned plenty of plaudits too. They competed admirably in the final, following an excellent tournament as a whole, and will take part in next season’s Spanish Super Cup as Copa del Rey runners-up.
Seventh place offers a ticket to Europe
Given the result of the Copa del Rey final, and given that Athletic Club are already in the European positions in the LALIGA EA SPORTS table, the European qualification spot which normally goes to the cup winners would now go to the next-best finisher in the league table. As such, finishing sixth would now grant access to the Europa League and finishing seventh to the Conference League.
Valencia CF win their game in hand
The team currently in seventh and in that final European qualification position is Valencia CF. Los Che had a midweek LALIGA EA SPORTS fixture, as they visited Granada CF to play a previously postponed match. A late goal from André Almeida earned a 1-0 win for Rubén Baraja’s side, and means they can dream of a return to Europe for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
Saúl Ñíguez fires Atleti back into the top four
At the beginning of last week, Atlético de Madrid had a crucial LALIGA EA SPORTS fixture away at Villarreal CF on Monday night. It looked like they were heading for a 1-1 draw, but substitute Saúl Ñíguez fired in an important 87th minute winner to make it a 2-1 victory and to put Diego Simeone’s side back inside the top four.
Vinícius is the Player of the Month for March
The Player of the Month award for March has gone to Vinícius, who put together several impressive performances to help Real Madrid consolidate their lead at the top of the LALIGA EA SPORTS table. The Brazilian scored five goals across his three league appearances in March, and has now taken the Player of the Month honour for the second time in his career.
The rest of the LALIGA AWARDS winners for March
The other winners of the ‘LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our Fútbol’ for March have also been announced. The Best Coach was Villarreal CF’s Marcelino, the Best U-23 Player was FC Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí, the Best Goal was FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal’s strike against RCD Mallorca and the Best Play was Mikel Oyarzabal’s assist for Mikel Merino in Real Sociedad’s win over Cádiz CF.
Cádiz CF suffer a blow as Rominigue Kouamé’s season is over
Cádiz CF’s recent results have improved and midfielder Rominigue Kouamé has been a major reason for their upturn in form. It’s a major blow for Los Amarillos, therefore, that the 27-year-old will miss the rest of the season with an adductor injury.
RCD Espanyol climb into the automatic promotion positions
There may not have been any LALIGA EA SPORTS action over the weekend, due to the Copa del Rey final, but there was a full round of LALIGA HYPERMOTION, Spain’s second division. With RCD Espanyol winning 2-1 at home to Albacete Balompié, they were able to move ahead of SD Eibar and into second place, behind leaders CD Leganés.
Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona prepare for the Champions League
With no LALIGA EA SPORTS fixtures over the weekend, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona have used the time off to focus on preparing for their upcoming Champions League quarter-final first legs. Real Madrid will welcome Manchester City to the Bernabéu on Tuesday night, before Barça visit PSG and Atleti host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
