MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF brave the elements to return to winning ways (3-0)

Valencia CF welcomed Real Betis in midweek on the 10th of November at 8 pm kick-off time at Mestalla amidst heavy rain showers on Matchday 14 of LaLiga, the last before the World Cup break.

The game started at a high tempo at both ends with Valencia CF taking the game to the opposition right from the off pressing high up the pitch to try to break forward at every opportunity.

José Luis Gayà and Lino had back-to-back efforts going off target first Gayà with a forceful cross-strike and then Samuel Lino whose effort blazed over the crossbar despite being flagged up for offside.

The game opened up even more halfway through the first with plenty of action, so much so that minutes later, Samu Castillejo forced Rui Silva into a save with a brilliant volley on the follow-up.

Yunus Musah came mighty close to putting Valencia CF in front close to the half-hour mark with a double chance, first rattling the upright and then sending it wide.

Giorgi Mamardashvili pulled off a magnificent stop to deny Juan Cruz from point-blank range at the other end.

Samu Castillejo almost made it 1-0 for Valencia CF with the very last kick of the half. Alas, his effort was kept out by Rui Silva.

The first half finished goalless between Valencia CF and Real Betis Balompié with all to play for in the second half. 

The rain continued bucketing down at Mestalla as Valencia CF tried to find a foothold in the second half through quick exchanges trying to play through Real Betis.

Real Betis were reduced to ten men on the hour mark. Edgar was sent off for a double booking for a challenge on Samuel Lino outside area as he weaved his way into the box.

André Almeida stepped up and arrowed the ball into the top corner with a peach of a free kick delivery beyond Rui Silva who was rooted to the spot to send the Mestalla crowd into raptures over the hour mark.

Samu Castillejo tried to double Valencia CF’s lead shortly after, by taking a free kick from a similar position, alas he injured himself in the process and was replaced by fellow forward, Justin Kluivert. 

Valencia CF refused to back down and kept on pushing to double their lead through efforts and set-pieces and persistence paid dividends with little over ten minutes plus stoppage time left to play when Justin Kluivert won a spot-kick by getting in front of his marker.

Hugo Guillamón stepped up and sealed the win for Valencia CF sending Rui Silva the wrong way.

Justin Kluivert rounded off the scoreline deep into stoppage by slotting the ball home beyond Rui Silva following a deft Gayà ball into the Dutchman’s stride who made no mistake and completed the scoreline for Valencia CF.

3. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry R., Eray Cömert, Cenk, Gayà, Nico (Hugo Guillamón, 77'), Yunus Musah (Foulquier, 85'), André Almeida, Samu Castillejo (Justin Kluivert, 69'), Samuel Lino and Hugo Duro (Marcos André, 77').

0. REAL BETIS: Rui Silva, Sabaly (Ruibal, 82'), Edgar, Víctor Ruiz, Álex Moreno, William (Rodri Sánchez, 58'), Rodríguez (Akouokou, 58'), Canales, Luiz Henrique, Juan Cruz (Pezzella, 65') and Willian José.

GOALS: 1-0 André Almeida, 63'; 2-0 Hugo Guillamón (p), 80'; 3-0 Kluivert, 93'.

REFEREE: Ortíz Arias (C. Madrileño). Yellow card for Akouokou. Edgar sent off for a double yellow in 61'.

VAR: Medié Jiménez (C. Catalán).

Matchday 14 of LaLiga played at Mestalla. Before kick-off, Valencia CF player Ainhoa Alguacil, recently crowned world champion with the U-17 national team, took a ceremonial kick-off.