MATCH REPORT: Valencia CF loses out against CA Osasuna

Valencia CF suffered their first defeat of the season against CA Osasuna at Mestalla, as their former player Nacho Vidal struck late for the visitors to take a 1-2 win. Hugo Duro had previously levelled with his first goal of the season.

The team were riding good form after winning their opening two games of the LaLiga season. The first dangerous action was for the visiting team, off a ball behind the defence that put Pablo Ibáñez through on Mamardashvili. Thierry Correia raced back and made a challenge to prevent the shot. After consulting VAR, the referee signalled for a penalty -from which Aimar Oroz put Osasuna in front.

In the closing stages of the first half, Pepelu flung a ball into the six-yard-box, looking to connect with Hugo Duro, and the striker's shot went into the hands of the opposition goalkeeper. The midfielder would try again moments later from the edge of the area, and there another attempt by Diakhaby also went off target.

Valencia CF would continue looking for the goal with two deliveries into the area from the wings and, after the break, Rubén Baraja brought on André Almeida to add to the attacking options.

Javi Guerra tried to break through the defence with his bursts upfield, the team kept pushing and on 70 minutes Almeida stung the hands of the goalkeeper with a powerful shot from outside the area.

Gayà constantly sent crosses into the box in search of a finish, and finally found it on 79 minutes, as Hugo Duro headed home for the equaliser and his first goal since last September.

With the score at 1-1, Valencia CF pushed for a winning goal and almost got it, as Duro failed to send a rebound into the net after a great shot by Javi Guerra.

Sergi Canós, who had come on to make his debut after signing earlier this week, put a hit of his own just wide of the left post. Guerra was denied shortly afterwards from close range by Herrera.

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry R., Gabriel Paulista (Cristhian Mosquera, 75’), Cenk, Gayà, Diakhaby (André Almeida, 46’), Pepelu, Javi Guerra, Fran Pérez (Foulquier, 58’), Diego López (Sergi Canós, 75’) and Hugo Duro.

2. CA OSASUNA: Sergio Herrera, Areso (Peña, 77’), Catena, David García, Juan Cruz, Iker Muñoz, Aimar (Moncayola, 67’), Ibañez, José Arnaiz (Mojica, 67’), Kike Barja (Nacho Vidal, 46’) and Raúl (Budimir, 74’).

GOALS: 0-1 Aimar (p.), 23’; 1-1 Hugo Duro, 80’; 1-2 Nacho Vidal, 93’.

REFEREE: Pulido Santana (C. Canario). 

VAR: Figueroa Vázquez (C. Andaluz).