VILLARREAL, Spain (REUTERS) - Valencia scored twice in stoppage time to secure a 3-1 victory away to local rivals Villarreal and take the upper hand after the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday (April 11).
The result was harsh on the home side, who largely dominated possession yet were unable to create clear-cut chances against Valencia, who sit 12 places and 16 points above them in La Liga.
They were made to pay as a quick-fire double at the death from Daniel Wass and Goncalo Guedes, his second goal of the match, left them with a mountain to climb in next week's return.
"We knew it was going to be tough and we did what we had to do," Guedes told BeIn Sports.
"We know they have their strengths but we defended well and played on the counter and we were able to get our goals that way.
"I don't think the result was undeserved. We had our chances, we were clinical and it is a deserved victory."
Portugal forward Guedes opened the scoring after six minutes. He was felled in the box by Santiago Caseres and, although Valencia skipper Dani Parejo's penalty was saved by Andres Fernandes, Guedes netted the rebound from close range.
It was the second consecutive game in which Parejo had missed a spot-kick after he failed to score against Rayo Vallecano in la Liga at the weekend.
After ceding the early advantage, Villarreal began to enjoy more of the ball, with Santi Cazorla causing problems for the Valencia backline.
Former Arsenal midfielder Cazorla, who himself missed a penalty at the weekend, equalised from the spot in the 36th minute after Ezequiel Garay clumsily brought down Vicente Iborra and English referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.
Samuel Chukwueze was twice denied by Valencia goalkeeper Neto after the break as Javi Calleja's side looked to force a winner, but Villarreal gradually ran out of ideas and appeared happy to settle for the draw.
Yet with the clock having reached 90 minutes, Valencia's Wass produced a sweeping left-foot finish against the run of play following Jose Gaya's storming run down the left-hand side to stun the home crowd.
Guedes then rounded off the scoring with the last kick of the game after Denis Cheryshev - a former Villarreal player - led an electric counter-attack as Marcelino's side put one foot in the last four.
"We weren't savvy at all," said Calleja in his post-match news conference.
"There's another game to play (after going 2-1 down), but we played like there wasn't one.
"Now, everything is more difficult. It's a tough result to take but if you gift up chances and don't take yours then Valencia are always going to do what they did.
"We won't give up, of course. We'll go to Mestalla next week wanting to win and restore pride," he added.
Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 on Thursday. The Gunners take the advantage in their Europa League semi-final as the French striker cancelled out
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City; Nowitzki, Wade sign off in style win over Manchester City in an absorbing Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City
Brazilian soccer great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone on Saturday, doctors in Sao Paulo said. Pele had the surgery at the Israelite Albert Einstein hospital. "The procedure was a success and the patient is back in his room," a brief statement from doctors said.
Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation - ewn.co.za
Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool can be the new 'Invincibles', says
Klopp says he would have paid for four point lead over City. MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The four point lead Liverpool have at the top of the Premier League even after a 2-1 defeat to rivals
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four
Football. Home football Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in sight Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday to advance to the German Cup final for the second straight year and keep the
Bayern Munich reach German Cup final to keep Double in sight
Football: Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps Spanish media reports said Real Madrid had agreed a fee of 55 million euros (S$85 million) for Olympique Lyonnais left-back
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps
Liverpool will spend Christmas on top of the Premier League after goals from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk earned them a 2-0 win at Wolves on Friday, opening up a four-point lead over second
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah, Dijk sink Wolves
Lions hunt in their prides, or groups. They stalk their prey while low to the ground. They like to hunt at night because the animals have a harder time seeing them, but lions actually see better
The Big Cat Challenge: Are You Tough Enough For a Mountain L
Football: Derby shocker with Villa's Grealish attacked by Birmingham fan but he gets last laugh with winner
Football: Birmingham fan jailed for pitch attack on Villa's
Neymar is unlikely to play when Paris Saint-Germain travel to Manchester United in the 'Super difficult' for Neymar to face Man Utd, says PSG boss Tuchel according to head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel: It Will Be 'Super Difficult' for Neymar to
0 comments:
Post a Comment