Getafe wins a vital match as Mayoral finds the net late against Valencia

Getafe gains vital victory as Mayoral nets late winner against Valencia

Borja Mayoral struck in the 82nd minute to secure Getafe a precious three points, lifting the gloom around a side fighting to climb away from relegation danger. The win, earned at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, arrived in a match where Valencia’s new coach Rubén Baraja was seeking momentum after a poor run. With David Soria’s best support in goal guiding Getafe, the Azulón side held on to claim a win that felt well earned and timely for their season arc.

From the opening whistle, the scene was tense. The fixture pitted two teams in a high-stakes relegation duel, played in a setting that demanded discipline and grit. Valencia had to show resilience away from home, while Getafe looked to translate their home form into a decisive result. The visitors were intent on turning the page after a rough run of results, and Quique Sánchez Flores trusted his core unit to deliver a performance that would stamp a message to their rivals.

Samu Castillejo stepped forward for Valencia, earning a penalty that altered the balance of moments early in the contest. Edinson Cavani also faced an injury setback that would tilt Valencia’s forward options. In response, Getafe deployed Hugo Duro and Justin Kluivert to sharpen attacking intent, while Gabriel Paulista joined the back line to provide defensive balance and leadership in the middle. The line-up remained otherwise faithful to the team that faced headwinds in recent fixtures.

As the match wore on, Samuel Lino became a constant thorn for Valencia. The Brazilian winger caused persistent trouble in the opening stage, pinning Valencia back with his pace and use of space. Valencia’s midfield, pressed by Mauro Arambarri and Gonzalo Villar, found it difficult to stand firm as Getafe pressed higher and pushed for opportunities to destabilize the visitors. David Soria emerged as the escape hatch for Getafe in the first half, making several crucial saves and keeping his side in the contest when needed most.

First, Soria parried a difficult effort from Lino following a well-worked sequence between Dimitri Foulquier and Justin Kluivert. Then he produced another save on a shot from Lino, who had escaped the attention of the defense at a moment. A one-on-one later in the half did not require a save because the Brazilian elected to shoot wide, but the pressure remained constant on Getafe’s goal as Valencia sought to take control before the break.

Valencia found rhythm as Munir Al Haddadi drove energetic displays in the final third, lifting the tempo and testing Getafe’s resolve. He was the most dynamic player for his side, at times threading danger through the defensive line. The game swung back and forth in a dramatic sequence that kept fans on the edge of their seats, with the goalkeeper performances and midfield battles shaping every key moment.

Giorgi Mamardashvili faced a late test when Munir delivered a powerful strike close to the goal, met by Mouctar Diakhaby’s body as a shield. Domingos Duarte then rose to meet a corner as Getafe weathered the storm, with two more headed efforts from the set-piece presenting a reminder of the duel’s deadliness in the air. Soria, again in the thick of things, preserved his side’s advantage while Valencia pressed for a response in the latter stages of the half.

The halftime break brought changes and renewed focus. Nemanja Maksimovic entered the fray, shifting Getafe’s balance in the middle and providing a steadier presence as Valencia looked to push forward with greater intensity. The Serbian’s introduction marked a turning point, supplying the necessary composure to guide Getafe through the match’s defining phases. Quique’s tactic implied a willingness to exploit the flanks while maintaining solid structure through the spine of the team.

On the field, Getafe’s defense grew in stature as the game progressed. Djené offered pace down the right, while Damián Suárez replaced Borja Mayoral late in the action, a tactical tweak designed to preserve energy while keeping pressure on Valencia. The encounters in the middle period intensified, and Getafe’s players began to sense an opportunity to nick a decisive moment.

In the 82nd minute, a sustained spell of pressure produced the opener. Mauro Arambarri delivered the corner from the Portu side, with Alderete turning the ball toward the goal area. Mayoral rose highest to meet the ball near the far post and finished with calm precision, his fifth goal of the season and a moment of relief for a side that had endured a difficult spell. The volley, coming after a string of near-misses for Getafe, was the moment they needed to calm the atmosphere and claim the three points.

The goal sent Getafe into a controlled celebration, while Valencia mounted a final push to salvage something from the contest. Baraja’s new regime faced a stiff test in adversity, and the result added a layer of urgency to Valencia’s plans as they look to reverse a troubling run of form. Baraja now faces the challenge of building consistency while Sánchez Flores’s team remains ready to compete with the best when the stakes are high.

Data sheet:

1.- Getafe: Soria; Portu (Jaime Mata, min. 92), Djené, Duarte, Alderete, Gastón (Angileri, min. 78); Arambarri, Villar (Maksimovic, min 46), Munir (Seoane, min. 78); Borja Mayoral (Damián Suárez, min. 92) and Enes Ünal.

0.- Valencia: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà (Lato, min. 58); Musah (Hugo Guillamón, min. 69), Almeida (Marcos André, min. 83), Moriba, Lino (Fran Pérez, min. 69); Kluivert and Hugo Duro.

Aim: 1-0 min. 82: Borja Mayoral.

Judge: Mario Melero López (Andalusian Committee). He showed yellow cards to Djené (min. 20), Villar (min. 30), Quique Sánchez Flores (min. 59), Gastón (min. 73), Alderete (min. 76) and Portu (min. 88). Getafe and Hugo Duro (min. 90) from Valencia.

Events: The match belonged to the twenty-second day of LaLiga Santander, played in front of 10,112 spectators at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in Getafe.