Valencia end losing run with crucial late LaLiga victory

After a start to the season Valencia’s former head coach, Carlos Corberan was fired when the 1‑0 loss to Sevilla last weekend turned out to be the last straw.

Match highlight

A new era was starting and there was a lot to prove so the visitors believed they had taken the lead early after the 15‑minute mark. Arnaut Danjuma shot a first‑time effort past Antonio Sivera. Var ruled the goal offside.

That incident seemed to wake Alaves up. Alaves answered with many chances. Alaves’ best chance happened when Pablo Maffeo struck a volley from outside the area but Sivera collected it easily.

Alaves had made the start ever in a LaLiga campaign gathering 10 points from the first five games and Alaves’ confidence showed as Alaves kept playing well in the first half.

Alaves almost opened the score before the break when Angel Perez crossed into the box but Pablo Ibanez headed narrowly wide.

An entertaining first half promised more after the break. Instead both teams found it hard to find an attacking rhythm.

All three of Alaves’ wins this season had come at home. Alaves could not repeat the sharp attacking play Alaves showed in the last match before Alaves’ own supporters—a 5‑2 win over Osasuna.

Valencia meanwhile offered little attacking threat. Even a point would have meant a sign of progress after recent struggles.

However with over 10 minutes left the visitors found a surprise winner sparking wild celebrations among the visitors’ travelling supporters.

A precise pass from Javi Guerra opened the way for Luis Rioja, who broke into the penalty area and chipped the ball over Sivera to score the goal. The strike gave Valencia all three points. Lifted Valencia out of the relegation zone at least for a while.

The result was a disappointment for Alaves especially because it denied Alaves the chance to win four home matches in a row for the time since 2001. Nevertheless Alaves’ strong overall start, to the season means Alaves stays in place.