Match Report: Late fightback hands Valencia CF draw with Atletico Madrid (3-3)

Two late Hugo Duro goals at Mestalla earned Valencia CF a 3-3 draw with Atletico Madrid, as the team fought their way back in the closing moments of the game. Seemingly on course for defeat to the reigning LaLiga champions, José Bordalás’ side salvaged a point with a display of determination and grit.

From the opening minutes, the game was highly contested. Both teams set themselves up solidly, closing up spaces and trying to attack on the counter.

Without many clear chances for either team, Valencia CF's first attempt in the opening half came from a shot by Guedes from outside the area, saved by Jan Oblak.

Atletico Madrid replied with a Yannick Carrasco effort wide, before taking the lead before the breakthrough striker Luis Suárez.

 Valencia CF trailed Atletico Mestalla.

lencia CF responded in the second half with a series of chances. Uros Racic would set up Hélder Costa on the left-wing, and a cross found its way dangerously across the face of goal. Gonçalo Guedes, arriving from the second line, hunted down the rebound and turned the ball into the net off an opposition defender, taking the score to 1-1.

Mestalla was lifted by the equaliser, but their joy would be short-lived. Atletico Madrid struck twice in quick succession, seemingly killing off the contest: Antoine Griezmann hit on the counterattack, sending the ball into the top corner with a shot that Jasper Cillessen could not keep out, and then Vrsaljko was awarded a third goal after a VAR check.

With the score at 1-3, Daniel Wass clanged a shot against the crossbar off a corner, then Guedes and Dmitri Foulquier both enjoyed chances, but there was seemingly no way back.

That was until Hugo Duro was brought on with 5 minutes remaining, producing a truly incredible turnaround in fortunes. First, a cross by José Luis Gayà was stabbed home by the substitute, bringing the game back to life.

Atletico Madrid were clinging on, and Valencia CF’s momentum proved to be too much for them. A ball into the área was met by Duro for his second, taking the scoreline to 3-3 with almost the final touch.

Valencia CF will return to action with a game against Real Sociedad on November 21st. 

Match Details:

VALENCIA CF: Cillessen, Foulquier, Omar Alderete (Manu Vallejo, 85’), Gayà, Hugo Guillamón, Racic (Yunus Musah, 65’), Wass (Marcos André, 65’), Carlos Soler (Koba Leïn, 85’), Hélder Costa (Hugo Duro, 85’) and Guedes.

ATLETICO MADRID: Oblak, Trippier (Vrsaljko, 8’), Giménez, Savic, Hermoso, Koke, De Paul (Herrera, 86’), Correa (Kondogbia, 72’), Carrasco, Griezmann and Luis Suárez (Joao Félix, 86’).

GOALS: 0-1 Luis Suárez, 35’; 1-1 Savic (p.p.), 49’; 1-2 Griezmann 58’; 1-3 Vrsaljko 60’.

REFEREE: Soto Grande (C. Riojano). Yellow card for Hugo Guillamón.

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 13 of LaLiga held at Mestalla.