USMNT’s Yunus Musah misses penalty as Real Betis win Copa del Rey

USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah missed the crucial spotkick as Real Betis beat Valencia on penalties in the final of the Copa del Rey.

Betis’ win delivered the club’s first silverware since 2005, with 40-year-old midfielder Joaquin becoming the first player in Betis history to lift the trophy for a second time, having won the competition 17 years ago.

The game finished 1-1, with Betis initially getting off to a perfect start.

Hector Bellerin was sent clear by Nabil Fekir, and his low cross was converted by Borja Iglesias after only 10 minutes.

However, Valencia fought their way back into the game, with Hugo Duro chipping a delightful finish over Claudio Bravo to tie the score before half-time.

After a flurry of chances late in the second half, the match calmed down during extra-time, setting up a tense, albeit high-quality, penalty shootout.

Joaquin slotted his in off the post, having missed a penalty to send Spain out of the 2002 World Cup just under 20 years ago. Juan Miranda, 18 years Joaquin’s junior, scored the crucial penalty.

19-year-old academy graduate Musah, who has 16 caps for the United States, was the unfortunate player to miss, sending Valencia’s fourth spotkick high and wide.

Betis’ victory marked the first trophy for manager Manuel Pellegrini since winning the 2015-16 League Cup with Manchester City.

(Photo: Jose Luis Contreras/DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)