MATCH REPORT | Duro heads Valencia CF to victory against Athletic Club
A second half goal earns a 1-0 win at Mestalla
Valencia CF took a 1-0 victory against Athletic Club on Matchday 21 in LaLiga at Mestalla, as Hugo Duro scored the winning goal on the hour mark off a great cross from José Luis Gayà. It was the team’s fourth consecutive win in the competition, and followed elimination from the Copa del Rey in midweek.
The team took to the pitch looking to be fast, dynamic and provide service for forwards Roman Yaremchuk and Duro. The former came on early in the game, due to an injury to Sergi Canós that changed the setup for Rubén Baraja’s side.
In the 42nd minute, Valencia CF recovered the ball well with a steal by Fran Pérez, and he sent it to Hugo Duro to leave for Hugo Guillamón. His shot from the edge of the area went wide, but was the first dangerous chance against the Basque team.
It would not be the last approach before the break and Yaremchuk finished off a good ball to the far post, Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón glancing the ball wide.
Valencia CF came out aiming to take the lead in the second half and, from a move on the left, Diego López put a ball into the six-yard box for Duro, but the no.9’s shot went just off target.
It would be the omen of what would happen moments later. In the 60th minute, Valencia CF again got the ball on the left, Gayà sent a cross in and Duro, rising above Yuri Berchiche, beat Unai Simón with a great header.
As in every match, Mamardashvili would appear in difficult moments to contain the opposition. The goalkeeper did so in the 79th minute with a great save that kept the score at 1-0 on the final whistle.
Valencia CF took three important points and will seek their fifth consecutive win in LALIGA next Sunday, away against Atletico Madrid.


Lineup Valencia CF
- Giorgi Mamardashvili (Shirt number 25) - Goalkeepers
- Dimitri Foulquier (Shirt number 20) - Defenders
- José Gayà (Shirt number 14) - Defenders
- Cristhian Mosquera (Shirt number 3) - Defenders
- Gabriel Paulista (Shirt number 5) - Defenders
- Hugo Guillamón (Shirt number 6) - Midfielders
- Fran Pérez (Shirt number 23) - Midfielders
- Sergi Canós (Shirt number 7) - Midfielders
- Pepelu (Shirt number 18) - Midfielders
-
Hugo Duro (Shirt number 9) - Forwards
- Goals: 61'
- Diego López (Shirt number 16) - Forwards
Opposition lineup
- Unai Simón (Shirt number 1) - Goalkeepers
-
Dani Vivian (Shirt number 3) - Defenders
- Yellow Card: 90' - Aitor Paredes (Shirt number 4) - Defenders
- Yuri Berchiche (Shirt number 17) - Defenders
- Íñigo Lekue (Shirt number 15) - Defenders
- Oihan Sancet (Shirt number 8) - Midfielders
- Beñat Prados (Shirt number 24) - Midfielders
- Ander Herrera (Shirt number 21) - Midfielders
-
Nico Williams (Shirt number 11) - Midfielders
- Yellow Card: 56' - Alex Berenguer (Shirt number 7) - Midfielders
- Gorka Guruzeta (Shirt number 12) - Forwards
Time: 98min
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