MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF earn victory over RCD Espanyol

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Valencia CF won 3-2 against RCD Espanyol at Mestalla on LaLiga Matchday 20, with Hugo Duro, Eray Cömert, and Largie Ramazani on the scoresheet. The latter got the decisive goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Valencia CF started the match with great energy and intensity, pressing high up the pitch with the aim of dominating possession from the outset, although the strong wind blowing through Mestalla hampered their fluid play at times.

Valencia CF created several scoring opportunities, whilst opposition goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic urged his players to slow the pace of the game and reduce the attacks on his goal.

However, this didn't prevent Valencia CF from taking the lead with a well-worked move between Lucas Beltrán and Hugo Duro, in which the striker finished perfectly, dribbling past the goalkeeper and tapping the ball into the net.

Carlos Corberán's team took control of the game and, just a few minutes after the first goal, threatened again with a shot by Danjuma from outside the box, which missed the target.

Defensively, Valencia CF remained solid, dealing with several attacks from RCD Espanyol. They managed to maintain their lead through to the interval.

SECOND HALF

After the break, Valencia CF came out with the same intensity and freshness as in the first half. However, in the 54th minute, RCD Espanyol equalised when Ramon Terrats capitalizlsed on several rebounds in the area.

Moments later, Dimitrievski made a crucial save from a dangerous shot.

Five minutes afterwards, Cömert surged forward and initiated a move that he himself finished off with a header to put Valencia CF ahead 2-1. The Swiss player approached the opposition penalty area, passed to Danjuma, and the Dutch winger crossed for Cömert to nod in at the near post.

Umar Sadiq and Diego López entered the game after the second goal.

The following minutes saw end-to-end action from both teams. In one such attack, Sadiq nearly scored a third for Valencia CFwith a shot from outside the box that grazed the left post.

On 80 minutes into the match, bad luck struck, and RCD Espanyol equalised again with a shot from Urko outside the box that deflected off Copete, changing the ball's trajectory.

Three minutes later, Dimitrievski made a reflex save to deny Kike García.

Valencia CF pressed for the win, and in stoppage time, Lucas Beltrán won a penalty. Ramazani converted it, providing a deserved 3-2 win.

Valencia CF will visit La Cartuja next Sunday, February 1st, at 4:15pm, to face Real Betis.

MATCH STATS

3. VALENCIA CF: Dimitrievski, Foulquier, Cömert, Copete, J. Vázquez, Pepelu © (Javi Guerra, 89’), Ugrinic (Santamaría, 89’), L. Rioja (Ramazani, 89’), Danjuma (Diego López, 63’), Beltrán and Hugo Duro (Sadiq, 63’).

2. RCD ESPANYOL: Dmitrovic, Rubén S., F. Calero (Pickel, 78’), Cabrera ©, C. Romero, Urko, Pol Lozano (Edu Expósito, 51’), R. Terrats (Miguel Rubio, 78’), Jofre (Dolan, 70’), Pere Milla (Kike G., 51’) and Roberto.

GOALS: Hugo Duro, 16’ (1-0); Terrats, 54’ (1-1); Cömert, 59’ (2-1); Copete p.p., 80’ (2-2); Ramazani, 94’ (3-2).

REFEREE: Alejandro Hernández (C. Las Palmas).

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