MATCH REPORT: Victory for Valencia CF against Hércules CF

Valencia CF played their final 2026/27 preseason friendly against Hércules CF on Thursday at the Estadi Antonio Puchades, running out 2-0 winners. Javi Guerra and Ryunosuke Sato scored the goals.

The match began with Valencia CF producing excellent passing play from the back, and as a result, Ryunosuke came very close to scoring the first goal of the game -off a quick free kick. The Japanese player received the ball at the edge of the box and took a shot, but his effort was blocked by an opposition defender. Without the ball, Valencia CF also pressed high up the pitch.

Minutes later, Hércules CF created their first real chance. Stole Dimitrievski had to make a save from a dangerous shot, dealing with it well

Twenty minutes in, Ryunosuke came close to scoring again. Inside the box, he lined up another drive, with goalkeeper Blazic called into action.

The following minutes saw an evenly matched spell and several approaches on the opposing goal by Valencia CF.

SECOND HALF

In the first two minutes of the second half, Javi Guerra put Valencia CF ahead after capitalising on a counterattack involving Hugo Duro, Ryunosuke and Ugrinic. The midfielder smacked a powerful shot over Abad and into the back of the net, making it 1-0.

Immediately thereafter, Antonio Cortés responded with a powerful low shot that Dimitrievski got down to meet.

Ryunosuke scored Valencia CF's second goal after a great passing move involving Javi Guerra and Hugo Duro, finishing with a low strike that nestled inside the left post.

In the closing stages, Valencia CF controlled the game -and could have extended their lead with a great shot from Aimar Blázquez, which Abad saved.

Valencia CF's next game is the start of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season, against RC Celta de Vigo on Saturday, August 22nd

MATCH STATS:

2. VALENCIA CF: Dimitrievski, Gamón (Marcos Navarro, 78’), Tárrega (Panach, 46’), Pepelu, De Haas, J. Vázquez, G. Rodríguez © (Marc Martínez, 78’), Ugrinic, Javi Guerra, Ryunosuke (Jaume Durà, 70’) and Hugo Duro (Aimar, 78’). 

0. HÉRCULES CF: Blazic (Carlos Abad, 46’), Samuel Vázquez (David López, 73’), Javier Rentero © (Rubén Cantero, 73’), Manuel Rico (Alejandro Jiménez, 46’), Yago Cantero (Galvañ, 73’), Aitor Gismera (Ben Hamed, 46’), Antonio Cortés (Gutiérrez, 73’), Andy Escudero (Traoré, 73’), Víctor Narro (Abdelilah, 73’), Javier Jiménez (Peñaranda, 73’) and Mehdi Puch (Fidalgo, 46’).

GOALS: Javi Guerra, 48’ (1-0); Ryunosuke, 55’ (2-0).