MATCH REPORT | Draw Between Valencia CF and CA Osasuna (3-3)

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Valencia CF and CA Osasuna played to a 3-3 draw in the Matchday 26 fixture of LALIGA EA Sports at Estadio El Sadar. Goals from Aimar (2) and Budimir gave the Navarrese team the edge in a match where Valencia CF fought from start to finish, took the lead twice (Diego López and Sadiq), and deserved more in terms of football, chances, and effort. Then, in the 87th minute, Sadiq produced an unpredictable backheel strike to score a stunning goal and secure a valuable point for our team. After this draw in Pamplona, the team will aim to return to winning ways next Saturday at the Mestalla against Real Valladolid (18:30).

The VCF players stepped onto the pitch with strong competitive intensity and started the match well, fully aware of the challenge of playing at Estadio El Sadar. In the 3rd minute, Enzo Barrenechea struck a shot towards the post, attempting to surprise the opposition goalkeeper, but the ball went just wide.

It was a warning of what was to come moments later, in the 13th minute, when Diego López once again demonstrated his opportunistic instincts. The Asturian forward capitalized on a ball behind the defense from Luis Rioja to put Valencia CF ahead.

Osasuna's defense tried to play the offside trap, but the Valencia player continued his run, dribbled past the goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into the net. After a VAR review, the goal was confirmed (0-1).

The home side quickly responded. Their first shot on target came from Bryan Zaragoza in the 24th minute, but Mamardashvili denied him with a great save. The winger, very active from the start, later delivered a cross from the left that led to Aimar equalizing for Osasuna (1-1).

The game had a high tempo, with chances and both teams pushing for all three points. At the half-hour mark, Valencia CF regained the lead thanks to a well-timed header from Umar Sadiq, who arrived from deep to finish off a great pass from Javi Guerra. The move was exceptional, with Guerra breaking Osasuna’s defensive shape with a brilliant off-the-ball run before delivering a perfect through ball from Diego López, allowing Sadiq to make it 1-2.

Before halftime, however, CA Osasuna struck back and turned the game around. Aimar once again equalized in the 38th minute with a precise header from the edge of the box, and Budimir made it 3-2 in the 44th minute from the penalty spot.

The second half wasn’t as frantic as the first, but Valencia CF came out determined to find their way back into the game. Sadiq, Iván Jaime, and Luis Rioja all had attempts in the first five minutes.

Rafa Mir shot over the bar on the hour mark, and Luis Rioja attempted a curling effort from the edge of the box. As time passed, it seemed Valencia CF were getting closer and closer to scoring.

Despite all the attempts, the score remained unchanged until the 87th minute, when Sadiq produced a spectacular backheel finish from a cross on the left, scoring a stunning goal to seal the final 3-3 draw.

MATCH DETAILS

CA OSASUNA (3): S. Herrera, Areso (Peña, 83’), Boyomo, Catena, Bretones (J. Cruz, 72’), Torró, Moncayola (I. Muñoz, 72’), Aimar (K. Barja, 55’), Rubén García, Bryan Zaragoza (M. Gómez, 73’), Budimir.

VALENCIA CF (3): Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Cristhian Mosquera, César Tárrega, Gayà (Fran Pérez, 67’), Javi Guerra (A. Almeida, 67’), Enzo Barrenechea (Pepelu, 80’), Luis Rioja, Diego López (S. C. Tenés, 80’), Iván Jaime (Rafa Mir, 56’), Sadiq.

GOALS:
0-1 Diego López, 14’
1-1 Aimar, 26’
1-2 Sadiq, 32’
2-2 Aimar, 39’
3-2 Budimir, 45’
3-3 Sadiq, 87’

REFEREE: Melero López (Andalusian Committee). Yellow cards for Luis Rioja, Lucas Torró, and Muñoz.

VAR: Figueroa Vázquez (Andalusian Committee).

Matchday 26 of LALIGA EA Sports at Estadio El Sadar.

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