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2-1: Under-19s Win Copa del Rey

Pol Fortuny and Manuel Ángel, with a great goal, clinched the win for Arbeloa's side against Almería to take the title for the 15th time.

2-1: Under-19s Win Copa del Rey
MATCH REPORT.Mireia JiménezPhotographer: Jesús Troyano (León)

The Under-19s defeated Almería to revalidate their Copa del Rey title and claim their fifteenth ever Copa del Rey. Álvaro Arbeloa's team, who are still undefeated this season, overcame the Andalusian team in the final played at the Reino de León. Pol Fortuny scored our team's first goal with a header in the 8th minute and, nine minutes later, Manuel Ángel increased the lead with a great goal from the edge of the area. In the 70th minute, Rachad reduced the gap, but the victory went to the Madrid youth side.

Our team started the match in the best possible way, taking the lead at almost the first time of asking. Pol took advantage of Youssef's cross from the left to head past Bruno. Nine minutes later, Arbeloa's men extended their lead with a great goal by Manuel Ángel 17'. The captain picked up a rebound from a corner and placed a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box right into the top corner.

Chances
Real Madrid were having a great first half and could have increased their lead with opportunities from Chema and César Palacios. After the restart, the youth outfit did not slow down the pace and insisted on looking for a third goal. In the 53rd minute, Palacios almost scored, but his shot was blocked by the keeper. Three minutes later, Pol had another clear chance with a shot that went just wide of the post.

As the minutes ticked by, Almería began to take more risks in an attempt to close the gap. With the Andalusian side going forward and the game wide open, Rachad put his team back in the game with a goal in the 70th minute. From then on, the match became an end-to-end battle, but the Under-19s were able to handle the pressure and ended up lifting the trophy.

MATCH INFO
2-Real Madrid: Diego Piñeiro, David Jiménez, Jacobo, Manu Serrano, Youssef, Chema, Manuel Ángel Álvaro Ginés, 88’, Nico Paz Camero, 74’, Palacios Hugo de Llanos, 67’, Pol Yeray, 67’ and Gonzalo Mesonero, 67’.
1-Almería: Bruno, Paco, Torres Leal, 66’, Edu, Joan Alvaro García, 85’, Marciano, Marcos Peña, Varó, Rachad, Younes Valentín, 45’ and Marsu Fede Oliva, 45’.
Goals
1-0 min 8: Pol
2-0 min 17: Manuel Ángel
2-1 min 70: Rachad.