Paulista opens goal account for Valencia CF

Gabriel Paulista scored Valencia CF's first goal in their 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid at Mestalla. It was also his first goal for the club and his first in LaLiga.

After Marcos Llorente's opener for Atletico, the Brazilian got VCF back on terms in the 40th minute, with a great strike from inside the area off a dangerous cross by Maxi Gómez.

The defender had promised an improved performance in an interview after the game against Getafe, and took matters into his own hands with his maiden strike in a Valencia CF shirt. Paulista had previously put the ball into the net against FC Barcelona earlier this year, but would have his goal controversially disallowed.

Never a prolific marksman, he had never scored in league action in Spain, either for Valencia CF or previous club Villarreal CF. His career total for goals stands at three, with one for Esporte Club Vitória in 2013 and another for Arsenal FC in 2015.

The goal at Mestalla served to earn Valencia CF a point, and maintain their unbeaten home record in LaLiga Santander this season.