Lato scores first senior goal in European triumph

A Valencian, lifelong Valencia CF fan and VCF Academy product, it was only fitting that Toni Lato's first senior goal for the club would come in the regional derby at Mestalla. The fullback's strike opened the scoring in the rainy second leg, and allayed fears of a Villarreal comeback in the huge UEFA Europa League fixture.

Lato was set up by Gonçalo Guedes for his 12th minute goal, as the Portuguese muscled a defender off the ball near the corner flag, found a diagonal pass over to his teammate, and the Spaniard did the rest.

The energetic defender was a constant threat with his overlaps, and looked to set up teammates throughout the game. He had previously provided an assist for Rodrigo at Mestalla in the Last 16 stage of the competition.

"We knew that it wasn't going to be an easy game, and that the tie was in our favour but not resolved," he commented after the game.

"It's always special, especially when you haven't been playing and you've been working hard to get opportunities. Above all, it was special to score my first goal here at Mestalla, in front of my friends and family."

Lato might not be the most prolific of goalscorers. In fact, he had not found the net in an official game for either VCF Mestalla or Valencia CF until Thursday night (scoring once in a friendly against Galatasaray in July of 2018). His quarterfinal goal was taken like a striker, and could just be the first of many for the young talent.