MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF beat FC Barcelona 3-1

Valencia CF’s 2025/26 LaLiga campaign ended with a spectacular win against champions FC Barcelona, as Javi Guerra, Luis Rioja and Guido Rodríguez found the net for a 3-1 triumph.

The home side started out pressing high up the pitch, disrupting the opposition's build-up play. However, the first real chance fell to FC Barcelona, on a counter-attack initiated by former Valencia CF player Ferran Torres, and was brilliantly stopped by Tárrega with a tackle on Marcus Rashford.

Valencia CF responded with a fantastic opportunity when Guido spotted Diego López unmarked, and he cut inside the area to shoot wide.

A move started by Guido saw him find Jesús Vázquez free on the left flank. The full-back crossed for Hugo Duro to flick on at the far post, where Luis Rioja's header was blocked by an FC Barcelona defender.

The team had dominated the first fifteen minutes of the game, and Hugo Duro came close to with a header that went over Szczesny's crossbar.

However, FC Barcelona also came close to scoring the first goal with a one-two that Balde finished off by putting the ball just wide of Stole Dimitrievski's post.

Thirty minutes in, Valencia CF had another clear opportunity on a counter-attack with four attackers against two opposing defenders. Diego López finished the move, but his shot deflected off a defender. From the resulting corner, Ugrinic struck a shot from outside the box, but was denied by the goalkeeper.

Javi Guerra brought Mestalla to its feet with a brilliant piece of skill, dribbling past several defenders who had to chase him down to force the ball out for a corner.

Just before the interval, in the 45th minute, Lewandowski's header struck the post for FC Barcelona.

SECOND HALF

Two minutes after the restart, Valencia CF launched another counter through Ugrinic, which Rioja had smothered by the opposition back line.

Diego López had to be substituted due to injury, and Largie Ramazani came on in his place.

In the 61st minute, Lewandowski scored the first goal of the match, taking the rebound after a shot from Ferran Torres.

Unai Núñez was brought down by Xavi Espart inside the area, although the referee decided not to award a penalty.

Five minutes later, Javi Guerra stole the ball in the opposition half, dribbled past a defender, and finished superbly to level the score.

It did not take long for another goal to arrive, as Luis Rioja scored Valencia CF’s second with a great shot from inside the box.

In the 85th minute, Dimitrievski prevented an FC Barcelona goal after a corner, whilst Javi Guerra looked for the third with a counter-attack that was cleared away.

Following Dimitrievski making another great stop to deny Barcelona an equaliser, Guido sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 97th minute, taking the score to 3-1.

Valencia CF secured the win, but victories for Getafe CF and Rayo Vallecano prevented them from qualifying for the UEFA Conference League preliminary round.

MATCH STATS

3. VALENCIA CF: Dimitrievski, Nuñez, Pepelu, Tárrega ©, J. Vázquez (Thierry R., 80’), L. Rioja, G. Rodríguez, Ugrinic, Diego López (Ramazani, 53’), Javi Guerra (Almeida, 96’) and Hugo Duro (Sadiq, 80’).

1. FC BARCELONA: Szczesny, Balde, R. Araujo © (Xavi Espart, 46’), Gavi, Ferran (Cancelo, 83’), Lewandowski, Rashford, Gerard Martín, Olmo (De Jong, 62’), Bernal (Casadó, 83’) and Eric (Christensen, 62’).

GOALS: Lewandowski, 61’ (0-1); Javi Guerra, 66’ (1-1); Luis Rioja, 71’ (2-1); G. Rodríguez, 97' (3-1).