Valencia, Spain – Real Madrid secured a dramatic 108-106 victory over Valencia Basket in a Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday, February 21, 2026, fueled by a late-game surge led by Mario Hezonja. The win propels Real Madrid to the final, where they will face either Baskonia or Barcelona.
The match, played at the Roig Arena in Valencia, saw the hosts dominate the first quarter, establishing a significant lead with a record-breaking 34 points – the highest first-quarter score in Copa del Rey history. Valencia’s offensive prowess, highlighted by 7 of 13 shooting from beyond the arc, initially overwhelmed Real Madrid. Yet, Real Madrid responded in the second quarter, narrowing the gap before halftime.
The game remained fiercely contested throughout the second half. Valencia’s Jean Montero emerged as a key offensive force, scoring 19 of his 26 total points in the fourth quarter. With 20 seconds remaining, Montero hit a three-pointer to give Valencia a four-point lead (106-102), seemingly sealing their place in the final.
However, the game took a stunning turn in the final moments. Mario Hezonja, who finished with 25 points, then scored back-to-back three-pointers in a span of eight seconds, first after a turnover forced by Real Madrid on Valencia’s inbound pass. This shifted the momentum and put Real Madrid ahead by one point (107-106). Eurohoops.net detailed the pivotal role Hezonja played in the closing seconds.
With the score still 107-106 and eight seconds left on the clock, Montero attempted a layup but was blocked by Gabriel Deck. The ensuing foul on Facundo Campazzo provided Real Madrid with a crucial opportunity. Campazzo made the first free throw, extending the lead to two (108-106), and intentionally missed the second to prevent Valencia from having a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer.
Valencia’s hopes were extinguished as time expired. The victory marks Real Madrid’s twelfth appearance in the Copa del Rey final in the last thirteen years. Kameron Taylor contributed 20 points for Valencia, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Hezonja’s late heroics and Real Madrid’s resilience. La Vanguardia reported that the win prevented Valencia from breaking the curse of not having a home team win the Copa del Rey since 2002.
Real Madrid will now await the winner of the second semifinal between Baskonia and Barcelona, scheduled for later on February 21, 2026, to determine their opponent in the Copa del Rey final on Sunday.
