Valencia leave it late for win

A late header from Nelson Valdez was enough to give Valencia a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at Mestalla.

Two last-gasp strikes from Tino Costa and the Paraguayan brought Los Che from 2-1 down, as they took an invaluable three points.

With both sides looking to get their League campaign back on track after a poor start, it was the away team that got off to the brighter beginning.

Fernando Amorebieta went the closest to scoring in the opening exchanges, but his header from 12 yards went wide of the target.

Mauricio Pellegrino's team came flying back though, and almost scored themselves after 10 minutes, only for Roberto Soldado to hit the post from close-range.

Los Che piled forward, but went a goal down on 19 minutes. Aduriz, with a first time effort from the edge of the area, stroked it past Vicente Guaita and into the top left-hand corner.

The lead lasted only five minutes however, as Borja Ekiza handled inside the area, and Soldado converted the penalty for 1-1.

A breathless first 45 was complete on 30 minutes, when Aduriz again, pounced inside the six yard box, and gave Athletic the lead.

After the break, the game slowed in intensity, but the home side could have equalised midway through the half, but Juan Bernat had his low effort saved well by Gorka Iraizoz.

Ander Herrera was later sent off for Marcelo Bielsa's team for an off-the-ball kick on Adil Rami, and that man-advantage paid dividends for the hosts.

Tino Costa’s shot from 12 yards on 88 minutes, slipped through a crowd of Athletic players, and crept into the net to level the score.

And it got even worse for Los Leones, as a free kick from Costa went to Nelson Valdez, who headed it in, and won the match for Valencia.

Tags Nelson Valdez
La Liga - Club News