For nights like this, the Cup deserves a privileged spot on the calendar.
Because even far from the fanfare of the greats, Rayo and Betis left a great game yesterday in Vallecas, resolved by two great goals from Borja Iglesias and William Carvalho.
The intensity and vertigo of Rayo, superior for much of the evening, were offset by the unquestionable quality of one of the most fit teams in LaLiga.
In a hostile environment, where so many have given up throughout the season, Manuel Pellegrini's team ended up imposing his authority.
There is still almost a month to go until March 3, when everything is resolved at Villamarín, but the Betis got one foot in the final at La Cartuja yesterday.
The dream of his first title since 2005.
The courage with which it would be used during the initial section did not admit reproach.
Iraola, capable of adapting his team according to the circumstances, had ordered a bugle call and his men complied with the enthusiasm of those who are aware of a unique opportunity.
Forty years after that semi-final loss against Sporting, Rayo made all of Vallecas dream.
Not even the usual boos to the box, towards President Raúl Martín Presa and his companion Rocío Monasterio, were going to cloud the party.
In 25 minutes, the fringe team did everything right, against a stunned Betis, without response to the starts of Iván Balliu or Álvaro García, two of the fastest players in LaLiga.
Not by chance, an adventure of the Albanian winger through the right-handed profile was crowned by the header of the left-handed winger, anticipating the central defenders and Rui Silva in the fields of truth.
Based on the good judgment of Óscar Valentín and Santi Comesaña, Rayo imposed their frenetic football.
The stadium was a delirium.
Betis, who a couple of months ago had imposed their exquisite mettle on that stage, only had to beg for mercy.
There was no respite for the handful of unconditional Verdiblancos who suffered from a corner of the stands.
Nor for the reckless Sabaly, exposed again and again to the rigors of Rayo's left front.
Each dispute, each jump, each crossed ball left Pellegrini's team in a bad place.
The Chilean coach ordered a stop, but William Carvalho did not find it clean.
Not even once.
Until in the 25th minute, when thousands of scarves fluttered in the wind, Borja Iglesias invented a flag goal.
They should teach in football schools the use of the arms of the Galician striker, who sat down two rivals on a tile before launching an impossible right hand for Dimitrievski.
It is hard to imagine a definition of greater talent.
With that goal, the thirteenth of the season, Iglesias not only equaled his best record as a Verdiblanco.
He was also spinning the tie.
Or put another way: Betis began to play according to its essence.
The criteria of Guido Rodríguez and the genius of Nabil Fekir had a lot to do with it.
For each anticipation of the Argentine midfielder, a detail of the former Olympique de Lyon arrived.
Juanmi, who had already treated fine palates with fabled control, intended to join the dance.
Even without the rule of the double value of goals, the tie spurred Betis, who would still have a couple of approaches shortly before the break.
Of course, the Ray needed a break.
To lick his wounds and to persist in his idea.
Of all the remaining arguments, none as valid as that of Óscar Trejo, a midfielder who attracts the attention of rivals to unload at the right time.
To the compass of him, Rayo once again imposed its frenetic rhythm, to an open grave.
If forcefulness was lacking in the area, Falcao appeared at game time.
Pellegrini seemed satisfied or waiting for some brushstroke.
What no one could have imagined was that great goal by Carvalho.
When he received that little ball from Tello in front, only the Portuguese had in mind that majestic barrel over Catena.
In slow motion, almost apologizing, Carvalho defined with a pass to the net.
And the stadium, impressed, fell silent, because these subtleties are only seen once in a lifetime.
The usual resort to desperation left a shot by Nteka, to a pass from Baby, saved with his leg by Rui Silva.
It was Rayo's second loss at home all season.
No one in Vallecas can object to his team.
And everyone in Seville must savor the mettle of its artists.
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