Match Report: Valencia CF advance to Copa del Rey semi-finals with valiant comeback home win over Cádiz CF (2-1)

Valencia CF welcomed Cádiz CF on Wednesday, the 2nd of February at 9 pm kick-off time (CET) at Mestalla in the Copa del Rey quarter-final tie which was played over a single leg in a knockout tie type of format. 

The game started at a high tempo at both ends with Valencia CF pressing high up the pitch in the early goings of the game looking to win the ball back and hit the opposition.  

Gonçalo Guedes gave Valencia CF the breakthrough after being put through on goal by partner up to up top Hugo Duro who robbed off the ball threaded it into the Portuguese who slotted it home beyond David Gil just over the halfway mark of the first half.  

The game saw a cagey spell of play after the goal with chances few and far between for either side through a series of stoppages, but the tempo picked up again in the closing stages with a flurry of Valencia CF chances. 

Aforementioned Gonçalo Guedes, saw his effort go narrowly off target after twisting and turning and then brand new Valencia CF recruit and debutant, Bryan Gil tried his luck after a clever Carlos ball, but his first-time effort blazed just over the bar.   

The first half finished 1-0 for Valencia CF with Gonçalo Guedes’goal separating the two sides at half-time. 

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the second half and things took a sudden turn for the worse when the referee awarded a spot-kick to Cádiz CF for an Eray Cömert shirt pull on Juan Cala picking up a yellow card in the process. Lucas Pérez made it 1-1 to Cádiz CF despite Jaume Domèncech getting a fingertip to it. 

José Bordalás shuffled his pack over the hour mark as Valencia CF’s loan signing, Ilax Moriba, came on replacing Thierry Correia and Maxi Gómex who replaced another Valencia CF debutant in the manner of Eray Cömert.  

Valencia CF upped the intensity and persistence paid dividends on 79 minutes when Hugo Duro put Valencia CF back in front with a scintillating glancing header past David Gil after a Mouctar Diakhaby flick-on at the near post from a corner kick.    

Moments later, Cádiz were reduced to ten men for a challenge on Maxi Gómez.

Valencia CF held out to go through to the Copa del Rey semi-finals in a thrilling and valiant comeback win over Cádiz CF. 

Valencia CF will welcome Real Sociedad on Sunday the 6th of February at 2 pm kick-off time at Mestalla on Matchday 23 of LaLiga.
 

MATCH DETAILS:

 2. VALENCIA CF: Jaume Domènech, Thierry Rendall (Ilaix Moriba, 68’), Eray Cömert (Maxi Gómez, 68’), Diakhaby, Gayà (Lato, 87’), Hugo Guillamón, Carlos Soler, Foulquier, Bryan Gil, Hugo Duro (Marcos André, 93’) and Guedes (Hélder Costa, 87’).

1. CÁDIZ CF: David Gil, Raúl Parra, Juan Cala, Luis Hernández, Espino, Alcaraz (Álex Fernández, 63’), Jonsson, Idrissi (Negredo, 63’), Alejo (Salvi, 46’), Sobrino (Isaac Carcelén, 71’) and Andone (Lucas Pérez, 23’).

GOALS: 1-0 Guedes, 25’; 1-1 Lucas Pérez (p.), 55’; 2-1 Hugo Duro, 79’.

REFEREE: Alberola Rojas. Booked  Gayà, Iván Alejo, Cömert, Rubén Alcaraz, Sobrino. Sent off Cala for a double booking.

OBSERVATIONS: Copa del Rey quarter final tie held at Mestalla in front of 30,591 spectators in attendance.