Match Report: Valencia CF best FC Cartagena in Copa del Rey extra time

Valencia CF required extra time to make it through to the next round of the Copa del Rey, finally ousting FC Cartagena 1-2 with a late goal from Jesús Vázquez. Lucas Beltrán had previously equalised for the team in regulation time, after they had gone behind to the lower division opponents.

Valencia CF started with Largie Ramazani back in the starting XI after a two-month injury layoff.

Almost immediately, Valencia CF nearly took the lead with a ball played through the Cartagena defence, which Arnaut Danjuma met but had a shot saved by Iván Martínez. The visitors dominated possession and created numerous chances through Vázquez and Ramazani.

However, FC Cartagena almost took the lead themselves after stealing the ball near the penalty area and putting Calderón through one-on-one with Stole Dimitrievski -the striker eventually firing wide. With several chances coming the hosts’ way, Dimitrievski had to make a save from Ortuño's shot from inside the box shortly after.

Cartagena did, however, get the first goal, scoring on a counter-attack. Alfredo Ortuño finished the move off inside the box to make it 1-0.

In the following minutes, Valencia CF had a long-range effort from Danjuma and another header from Dani Raba fail to find their way into the net.

A penalty appeal was controversially waved away when Calderón grabbed Eray Cömert in the area, preventing him from getting a shot off.

Ramazani then dribbled past several opposition players in the Cartagena penalty area and struck the ball towards goal, but a defender blocked it and sent it out for a corner.

SECOND HALF

After the break, Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán brought on Hugo Duro. Their first real chance came from Ugrinic, with a shot off target from outside the penalty area.

Luis Rioja, Diego López, and Thierry Correia all entered the game in subsequent substitutions.

Duro combined with Rioja and Diego López, to put the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside. A short time later, Beltrán created another dangerous opportunity that went just wide of the right post.

In the 79th minute, Beltrán got the equaliser. He capitalised on a rebound off Martínez to poke the ball home, making it 1-1,

A minute later, the Argentine striker almost got a second, and in the final moments of regulation time, Diego López and Beltrán created two more dangerous chances that were not converted.

EXTRA TIME

A few minutes into extra time, FC Cartagena had a one-on-one opportunity, but Chiki sent his shot wide of Dimitrievski's goal, whilst Valencia CF threatened with a header from Beltrán after a cross from Rubo.

In the second half, Luis Rioja crossed from the right flank, and Hugo Duro headed the ball, but his effort was first blocked by Martínez and then struck the Cartagena crossbar.

Adding to the difficulty of the game, Valencia CF’s Santamaría was sent off for a second yellow card.

Rioja hit the post with a low shot from outside the area, then -at the other end-, in the 117th minute, a penalty was awarded to FC Cartagena for handball in the area by André Almeida. Thankfully for Valencia CF, Dimitrievski made a great save from the spot kick.

In the final minute, Jesús Vázquez scored from a Rioja corner, avoiding a penalty shootout and earning a 1-2 win for Valencia CF.

The draw to determine the opponents in the Round of 32 will take place on Tuesday, December 9th, at 1pm.

Valencia CF will host Sevilla FC at Mestalla on Sunday in their next LaLiga fixture.

MATCH STATS

1. FC CARTAGENA: I. Martínez, D.Perejón, Imanol Baz, A. Fidalgo, Nil (Nacho Martínez, 85), Edgar (Chiki, 91’), Chuca (Kevin Sánchez, 69’), Nacho S., Calderón (Luismi, 59’), A. Martín (Diego Gómez, 59’) and Ortuño. © (De Blasis, 69’).

2. VALENCIA CF: Dimitrievski, Foulquier © (Thierry, 64’), Rubo, Cömert, J.Vázquez, Santamaría, Ugrinic (Javi Guerra, 72’), Ramazani (Hugo Duro, 46’), Danjuma (Rioja, 64’), Raba (Diego López, 64’) and Beltrán (Almeida, 103’).

GOALS:  Ortuño.Y, 21’ (1-0); Beltrán, 79’ (1-1); Jesús Vázquez, 120’ (1-2)