Valencia put Real Madrid to the Sword 2-1 at Mestalla

 
By Pete Jenson for MailOnline PUBLISHED: 19:39 GMT, 22 February 2017 | UPDATED: 20:17 GMT, 22 February 2017

Real Madrid were put to the sword by Simone Zaza as Valencia ruined Cristiano Ronaldo’s 700th club football appearance by winning 2-1 at the Mestalla.

Ronaldo scored with a towering header but the night belonged to the Italian international whose sensational first half strike will have West Ham supporters scratching their heads as to which Zaza it was they signed on loan last summer.

This was the chance for Real Madrid to go four points clear of Barcelona in the first of two games in hand but it was Zaza voom after just five minutes when the West Ham flop, who failed to score in 11 games in England, got his second goal in two games for his new club. 

And what a goal it was. Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves launched his team first real attack down the right and Munir El Haddadi crossed for Zaza, who made light of having his back to goal and Raphael Varane for close company by spinning 180 degrees and firing into Keylor Navas’ top right-hand corner in one movement.

Four minutes later and it was 2-0. Once again the lightning break came down the right. This time Munir fed Zaza, who played in Nani who fed Fabian Orellana who buried the chance. Two winter signings for Valencia and both had scored.

Real Madrid tried to fight fire with fire and Cristiano Ronaldo had a shot saved by Alves. James Rodriguez then tried to convert Ronaldo’s cross at the far post but Munir had sprinted back to save on the line. 

Real Madrid kept chasing the game and the Valencia threat was reduced when Nani had to hobble off and Guilherme Siqueira came on to make it double full backs for the home side down the left. 

It was Nani’s Portugal team-mate who was next to make his mark on the game. Marcelo crossed with the outside of his left-foot and Ronaldo rose above the Valencia defence and hung in the air long enough to guide the centre past Alves for 2-1.

No one has scored more headed goals than Ronaldo in Europe’s top league over the last 10 seasons. He has 51, two more than Swansea’s Fernando Llorente.

Real Madrid started the second half as they finished the first but they couldn’t make the pressure pay and Valencia could have had two penalties on the break.

First Zaza raced away for what could have been his second of the game but Dani Carvajal barged him off the ball just as he was about to shoot past Keylor Navas. Then Munir raced away and went down after Ramos stood on his ankle just inside the area.

Valencia had their own slice of luck when Eliaquim Mangala scythed down Karim Benzema and was only shown the yellow card. Zaza hobbled off with 18 minutes left and the sight of midfielder Mario Suarez replacing him sent out the message – we hold what we have. But could they? 

Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia: Barça close to title after frantic draw in Madrid

by Thore Haugstad | Posted on Saturday, May 9th, 2015

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/156077/real-madrid-2-2-valencia-barca-close-title-frantic-draw-madrid/

Real Madrid have most likely handed the La Liga crown to Barcelona after drawing 2-2 with Valencia. The hosts suffered a nightmarish first half, losing Toni Kroos to injury, hitting the woodwork thrice, and conceding goals to Paco Alcácer and Javi Fuego. Second-half goals from Pepe and Isco set up a frantic finale, but Valencia held firm. Barcelona now have to take three points from their two remaining games, at Atlético Madrid and at home to Deportivo La Coruña, to seal the title.

The importance of this fixture could hardly be overstated. Madrid knew Barça had beaten Real Sociedad 2-0 earlier in the afternoon, a result that meant victory was needed to keep the gap to the league leaders at two points. Valencia were four points behind third-placed Atlético Madrid and three points ahead of fifth-placed Sevilla, in the battle for the top-four Champions League spots.

Carlo Ancelotti put Javier Hernández up front and shifted Sergio Ramos back into defence next to Pepe, terminating the much-debated central-midfield experiment. If that seemed auspicious for the hosts, then so did the statistics. Despite the midweek defeat in Turin, Madrid could draw confidence from a run of nine straight league victories, while Valencia had won just one of their last five encounters on the road.

In the opening, however, the reality could not have been more different. A warning sign came 20 seconds in, when André Gomes tested Iker Casillas. Ten minutes later, Valencia should have been ahead. Gomes pushed over Pepe in an aerial challenge for a long goal kick, the Portuguese claiming a free-kick. It was not given, and the ball bounced through to Alcácer who squandered a fat chance by lobbing over.

As the game settled Madrid started to press, and chances arrived. They were not small. The lively Gareth Bale opened the show by smacking a free-kick into the upright. Next, the Welshman served up a corner for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose header hit the bar. That was not all. On 20 minutes, Valencia countered: José Gayá swept in a sumptuous cross that Alcácer poked home, despite the best efforts of Iker Casillas. 1-0.

With the Bernabéu shocked, Ronaldo tried to respond with a bicycle kick, which was blocked. Then Valencia returned once more. A free-kick by Dani Parejo was flicked in with ease by Fuego as Madrid’s marking collapsed. Ancelotti’s men now needed three goals to have a realistic chance of catching Barça. In addition, Kroos had limped off with an injury.

Madrid were never going to give up easily. Bale unleashed a 30-yard drive towards the top corner that Alves saved magnificently. The winger then combined with Hernández, only for the Mexican’s placed finish to roll into the post. Just before the break, it looked like hope had emerged. Bale was involved again, falling inside the area after a push by Gayá. The penalty was awarded, but Alves, the spot-kick specialist, saved from Ronaldo, capping off a grim 45 minutes for the hosts.

This was a crisis situation for Ancelotti, and the Italian responded emphatically. Two changes were made – Marcelo and Dani Carvajal replaced Fábio Coentrão and Álvaro Arbeloa respectively – as Madrid went all out to score. The tempo increased immediately. Eleven minutes in, the pressure paid off. James Rodríguez swung in a corner that Pepe headed home powerfully, igniting hopes of a second-half comeback.

The game swung back and forth after that. Madrid were desperate for more, while Valencia took counters to sneak a third. The visitors defended well. Until the finale, there were only a few chances to note: a low Ronaldo free-kick that fizzed wide, and an excellent reflex stop by Alves to stop Sergio Ramos’s header.

Things opened up towards the end, and substitute Álvaro Negredo had two opportunities to settle the contest. In between, Carvajal had a shot saved by Alves. Then came the equaliser. Isco picked up possession outside the box, turned, and fired a sweet 20-yarder inside the near post. However, the final, crucial goal never came.

Valencia CF continue lethal form at Mestalla (2-0)

From: Valencia CF 

March, 01 2015 - Piatti brace beats defensive Real Sociedad

Valencia CF continued their imperious form at Mestalla with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad, thanks to a Pablo Piatti brace in the second half. The result was the team's first victory against the Basque side at home since 2011 and a further boost to their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.

The early kickoff at Mestalla began with an early chance for José Gayà, who took the ball on his less-favoured right foot and sent his shot wide. It was a sign of things to come in the first half, in which Valencia CF pushed and upped the intensity with every passing minute. Sofiane Feghouli had a good opportunity of his own for VCF, but was also off target -having not seen teammate Álvaro Negredo unmarked at the back post.

Whilst Valencia CF played an expansive, attacking game, Real Sociedad limited their strategy to defending and slowing down the pace. VCF were happy to press up on their opponents and look for the counter attack.

On 26 minutes Shkodran Mustafi headed towards goal on a move resulting from a corner, but he was denied by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Rulli's agile stop. Moments before, VCF had an appeal for a penalty waved away when Canales had appeared to stop Gayà's shot with his arm.

Mustafi would later block Xabi Prieto's powerful shot -a rare Real Sociedad chance- before the game went into the halftime break with the score at 0-0. Valencia CF had dominated play, but had received no reward for their efforts.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo took off Nicolás Otamendi upon the start of the second half, due to an ankle issue for the Argentine, replacing him with fellow countryman Lucas Orban in the defence. Further up the pitch the side remained unchanged, and on 47 minutes they had their first shot of the half: Feghouli's hit made contact with the back of Real Sociedad's Ansotegi when it looked to be on its way in.

The deadlock was finally broken 52 minutes in, courtesy of Pablo Piatti. Dani Parejo made a majestic turn on Rubén Pardo, crossed into the box and found Piatti waiting to shoot. The Argentine's effort hit Ansotegi -only this time the ball went into the net. 1-0 to Valencia CF, and it was no less than they deserved.

However, the best was yet to come, and Piatti would get his second of the afternoon shortly after; Feghouli put the ball inside to him and he beat Rulli with a cool finish. It was Piatti's seventh goal in La Liga this season.

Älvaro Negredo came close to making it 3-0 with a shot into the side netting, followed by Rodrigo sending a terrific chance wide on 76 minutes. Real Sociedad had become even more vulnerable as they advanced their lines in search of goals, but VCF were not able to take full advantage.

Nevertheless, another victory in front of the home fans at Mestalla and an impressive performance keep Nuno's side in a strong position in La Liga -and serves as perfect preparation for the game at the Vicente Calderón against Atletico Madrid next weekend.

Spanish Primera División

Mestalla, Valencia

Valencia CF 2 vs. 0 Real Sociedad

Valencia CF: Diego Alves; Antonio Barragán, Shkodran Mustafi, Nicolás Otamendi (Lucas Orban, m. 46), José Gayà; Dani Parejo, Enzo Pérez, Javi Fuego,Pablo Piatti (Rodrigo de Paul, m. 80), Sofiane Feghouli (Rodrigo, m. 67) andÁlvaro Negredo.

Real Sociedad: Rulli, Aritz, Ansotegi, Iñigo, Yuri (Finnbogason, m. 69), Elustondo (De la Bella, m. 65), R. Pardo, Granero, X. Prieto, Canales (Hervías, m. 46) and Agirretxe.

Goals: 1-0. M. 52: Piatti. 2-0. M. 55: Piatti.

Referee: Estrada Fernández. Yellow cards for Enzo Pérez and Rodrigo de Paul(Valencia CF), Elustondo, Rubén Pardo and Yuri (Real Sociedad).

Valencia halts Real Madrid 2-1

First loss for Real Madrid since derby against Atlético

Real Madrid's run of consecutive victories in official matches came to an end after losing 2-1 against Valencia at the Mestalla.

Their 22 triumphs mark a new record in the history of Spanish football but falls two short of emulating Curitiba of Brazil and entering the Guinness Book of Records.

Real Madrid set a new record for consecutive victories in Spanish football, leaving the 18 wins set by Barcelona under Dutchman Frank Rijkaard in the 2005-06 season, a distant second.

Carlo Ancelotti's team had not lost a match since 13th September, when they lost in La Liga to Atlético de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. This was when the run began, after two consecutive losses in the league, with that match added to the reverse against Real Sociedad. It lasted from 16th September when they trounced Basil 5-1 in the Champions League, to 4th January, the day they lost at the Mestalla, six months later.

The 22 matches won, ten at home, twelve away, have been over four competitions. Six victories in the Champions League, twelve in La Liga, two in the Club World Cup and two in the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid scored 80 goals, against just ten conceded, until Valencia hit two past them to turn the game around and put an end to the historic run.

Valencia ambushed Atletico Madrid 3-1

Valencia stun defending La Liga champs Atletico behind first half raid

BARCELONA, Spain --

Valencia stunned Atletico Madrid with three goals in the first 13 minutes before holding on to win 3-1 Saturday and take the provisional lead of the Spanish league.

A shock own goal from Miranda put the hosts in front with just six minutes played and a well-taken goal by Andre Gomes doubled their lead a minute later, while Nicolas Otamendi's header completed the early blitz.

Mario Mandzukic hit back for Atletico and threatened to spark a revival, but hopes of staging a comeback were stopped in their tracks when Guilherme Siqueira had a penalty before the break saved by Diego Alves. Substitute Alessio Cerci thought he had scored a consolation goal for Atleti in stoppage time, but the effort was chalked off for handball and he was subsequently sent off for a second yellow card.

The result sees Valencia climb above Atletico and continue their unbeaten start to the season, whilst maintaining their habit of scoring three goals in all of their home games.

It was also their first big scalp of the season and means they can habor serious ambitions of finishing in the top four, or even challenging Spain's big three for the title.

Atletico looked to be still feeling the effects of their exhausting 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League in midweek and went behind through the most unlikely of sources.

Shkodran Mustafi's chipped cross was heading harmlessly straight towards the outcoming Miguel Angel Moya, but Miranda failed to communicate with his goalkeeper and reached the ball first to nod into his own net.

Atleti were rattled and soon found themselves further behind.

Gomes fought for the ball on the edge of the area and knocked it to Alcacer, who returned it to the midfielder with a clever backheel. Gomes still had a lot to do, but used his strength and skill to hold off a challenge from Miranda and drill the ball past Moya at the near post.

Valencia's thirst for Rojiblanco blood was still not sated, and Otamendi added a third goal after 13 minutes, completing a well-worked set-piece routine. The Argentine hid behind a number of team-mates in the box, before powering Pablo Piatti's corner into the net.

However, just before the half-hour mark, Atleti replied. Tiago brought the ball forward from the halfway line and beat a man before playing a one-two with Antonio Griezmann and thumping the ball at goal. Alves could only punch the ball out in front of him, where Mandzukic was waiting to knock into the empty net.

The goal propelled Atletico forward and shook Valencia. The visitors had an appeal for a penalty turned down for a possible handball by Antonio Barragan, and then Griezmann raced through the middle but was denied a shot on goal by an expert last-ditch tackle by Mustafi.

A minute before the break Atleti got the penalty that had been denied them earlier, Jose Luis Gaya penalized for cutting out a cross with his hand. But Siquiera squandered the golden opportunity after his weak daisy-cutter was easily gathered by Alves, who has now saved 13 penalties in the Primera Division.

The knowledge they had passed up the chance to cut the deficit to one goal appeared to deflate the champions, and they were toothless in the second half, finding it hard to negotiate their way past a combative Valencia side who were determined to see out the win and prove they mean business this season.

Atletico's first league loss this season left the defending champions provisionally in third.

Valencia moves to second place after beating Espanyol 3-1

Pablo Piatti on target as Valencia beat Espanyol to go second in Spain

Valencia moved up to second place in La Liga, two points behind Barcelona, with a 3-1 win over Espanyol at the Mestalla on Sunday.

A close-range finish from Pablo Piatti put Valencia ahead after eight minutes and second-half goals by Dani Parejo and Paco Alcácer wrapped up the win, before Sergio García pulled a goal back with a late penalty.

Valencia are unbeaten under their new coach Nuno Espírito Santo’s and playing with a confidence and fluidity not seen since Unai Emery was in charge.

Afterwards Espírito Santo said: “We have to win at lot of points to qualify for the Champions League. That is our goal and that is what we are going to try and do.”

Valencia were still without their summer loan signing from Manchester City Alvaro Negredo, who is recovering from injury and has yet to make his debut.

Jonathas de Jesus scored one and made another as Elche earned their first win of the season by beating Rayo Vallecano 3-2.

Elche went ahead through a dipping free-kick from their captain Edu Albácar, but Rayo equalised just before the break through Gaël Kakuta, who is on loan from Chelsea. Kakuta took Alberto Bueno’s long pass, cut inside and slotted home.

But Jonathas restored Elche’s lead when he beat Rayo’s central defenders and swept the ball home. He then set up Pedro Mosquera, whose deflected effort increased Elche’s advantage. A penalty from Bueno proved too little too late for Rayo.

A Carlos Bacca’s first-half penalty and an Alex Vidal tap-in three minutes from time steered Sevilla to a 2-0 win over Getafe at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

“With all respect to Getafe, our goal was to win this game,” said Sevilla’s coach, Unai Emery. “The key was to play at a fast pace so they didn’t feel comfortable and we did just that.”

Elsewhere, unbeaten Granada drew 0-0 with Villarreal in a dour encounter.

Late Orban goal secure Valencia a draw with Sevilla 1-1

Yahoo Sports

Ten-man Valencia struck late to claim a 1-1 draw from a dramatic Liga clash with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Aleix Vidal's strike just before the break looked set to earn the Rojiblancos all three points points from their Primera Division opener.

However, Valencia never stopped fighting, even after the dismissal of Rodrigo midway through the second half, and were rewarded for their persistence with just over a minute of normal time remaining when Orban bundled the ball home.

The defender's effort may have been both ugly and fortuitous, with the ball having ricocheted into the Argentine's path before he chested it home, but the visitors would argue that they deserved their slice of luck.

Indeed, Valencia were desperately lucky to have not opened the scoring when Pablo Piatti was put in on goal with just nine minutes gone.

However, the midfielder's low strike cruelly struck both posts without ever going over the line, much to the relief of Beto in the Sevilla goal.

Both sides subsequently struggled to create any clear-cut openings until the hosts broke the deadlock just before the break. 

Carlos Bacca eluded two players on the left-hand side before slipping the ball inside to Vidal. The midfielder's first effort struck Beto's chest, but he made no mistake with the rebound to send the Sanchez Pizjuan wild.

Bacca's pace continued to cause Valencia problems in the second half and the striker was also involved in what should have been a second goal for Sevilla in the 66th minute. However, Vitolo fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Still, it did not seem as if Sevilla would be punished for their profligacy, as just moments later, Valencia summer signing Rodrigo was shown a straight red card for elbowing Vitolo just moments after coming on as a substitute.

Valencia kept pressing, though, and, after a well-worked corner on the left-hand side, the ball dropped for Orban, who directed it over the line with his chest to earn his side the unlikeliest of draws.

Pizzi revels in shock win at Barca

From :Four Four Two (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pizzi-revels-shock-win-barca)

 Juan Antonio Pizzi thinks that Valencia's first win at Camp Nou in over a decade can be a turning point in the club's season. Goals from Dani Parejo, Pablo Piatti and Paco Alcacer stunned Barcelona on Saturday as Valencia came from behind and triumphed 3-2 to end the defending champions' 25-match winning run at home in La Liga. 

And Pizzi hopes that the result gives his players the belief to go on and secure European football next season, as Valencia have won just four of their last 15 games in the league. "I am pretty sure that winning against such a strong team is an emotional boost for us, and we have to be clever to take advantage of the confidence it gives, us especially because of a victory at this stadium (Camp Nou)," said Pizzi. 

While Barca remain top of the league – for another 24 hours at least – Valencia have handed the two Madrid clubs the chance to leapfrog Gerardo Martino's men on Sunday. Just a point separates the three sides and Pizzi feels that it has the makings of an intriguing title race with just under half of the season remaining. He added: "I think there is equality between the three teams (Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid). "Maybe from the last years' point of view Barcelona have a little bit of an advantage because of their performances, but that doesn't mean they are the favourites because both Atletico and Real Madrid have shown they are at the top level."  

Valencia and Malaga fought for a scoreless draw

Valencia and Malaga did everything it can to earn another three points to improve their standings in La Liga but the game concluded with no one scoring. 

Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero figured prominently with his brilliant saves that deny an ever persistent Valencia from scoring.  In the 29th minute, Caballero double saved; first  a free kick by Dani Parejo and then a follow up by Jonas Goncalves which was the best opportunity for Valencia to score. 

Overall, Valencia had more scoring opportunities but its either their on target shots are cleared or no one is there to receive a generous cross.  The two teams have to settle for a point each. 

Villareal trounce Valencia 4-1

Giovanni dos Santos scores
 double for Villareal 

Villareal dominated Valencia with a 4-1 win at El Madrigal.  Villareal continues to send notice to the rest of La Liga that they are returning with a vengeance after being relegated two years ago. 

Villareal jumpstart early as Ikechukwu Uche nodded Giovanni Dos Santos cross past Vicente Guaita in the 17th minute. Five minutes later, Villareal added another goal when Hernan Perez heads Cani's lob from the left. 

Valencia tried to score in the 37th and the 39th minute when both Dorado Pabon and Joao Perreira failed to complete their attempts respectively.  

Villareal added another goal in second half but in some kind of a twist of fate.  Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu fouled Ikechukwu Uche to set up a Giovanni dos Santos penalty.  However, Vicente Guaita tipped Giovanni's penalty to set up a corner.  Cani's corner was headed by Uche in the ensuing play and the rebound went to Giovanni who back heeled the shot and score his first goal.  Giovanni Dos Santos later completed his productive night with 25 yard curl against Ricardo Costa from a pass by Bruno in the 84th minute.  

Valencia however had a consolation goal in the 62nd minute when Ricardo Costa headed  an inswinging corner from Dani Parejo. 

Barcelona escapes with a 3-2 win over Valencia

Lionel Messi hugs goalkeeper Victor Valdes as a relief for surviving a gritty Valencia side

What promises to be a walk in the park for Barcelona almost turned into a nightmare.

The Spanish champion was poised to cruise to an easy victory against Valencia after Lionel Messi scored a hat trick early in the first half but found themselves fighting to protect the three points just before the end of the half. 

Messi opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The play began with Javi Fuego's pass intercepted by Sergio Busquets who tapped it to Fabregas.  Fabregas flicks the ball to a streaking Messi who elude the tackle of goalkeeper Diego Alves into the empty Valencia goal.  Adil Rami and Ricardo Costa tried to pursue Messi but they don't have much to do to stop Barcelona's top scorer from chalking his third league goal of the season. 

Messi added another goal in the 38th minute with a similar play.  Sergio Busquets grabbed possession from Ever Banega and then passed the ball to Fabregas who found Messi just at the edge of the penalty box, Messi then launched his attack to the goal and beat Adil Rami's challenge to send the ball at the back of the net.  Three minutes later, Messi scored his hat trick. Cesc Fabregas passed the ball to Neymar on the left and found and unmark Messi in the middle who streaked towards the goal for an smooth finish.  At that point, Barcelona seems to wrap up the night in a dominating fashion. 

At injury time, Joao Perreira's cross finds Helder Postiga who volleyed the ball into the net sending fans at La Mestalla in wild celebration.  A minute later, still in injury time, Helder Postiga scored his second goal with a header past Victor Valdes from a Ever Banega's corner.  Barcelona's game starts to crumble under pressure. 

The second half turned into a tug of war to score on both sides. Barcelona's greatest opportunity came in the 88th minute as Jordi Alba's close range shot and Lionel Messi's follow up were both brilliantly saved by Diego Alves to the delight of the Valencia crowd. Valencia best chance on the other hand, came in the 86th minute when Jonas shot hit the sidebar in what could have been the night's equalizer.  

With the win, Barcelona, maintains its immaculate record while handing Valencia its first defeat of the season.