A third-minute penalty in the second half gave Osasuna the edge over Valencia in a tense La Liga duel. Chimy Ávila converted from the spot to put the visitors ahead, then added a second later when he beat the Valencia defense with a composed finish. The momentum shift left Mestalla stunned as Osasuna pressed on the attack.
Carlos Soler equalized for Valencia on the 82nd minute, briefly lifting the home side. Yet Osasuna remained compact and efficient, resisting Valencia’s late push and sealing three valuable points with disciplined defending and sharp counter play.
At the start, Osasuna controlled the tempo, aiming to keep possession and frustrate Valencia’s attempts to advance. Neither side showed a clear intent to storm the goal in the early exchanges, with both squads prioritizing containment and structure over risky forward forays.
Although Arrasate’s side looked to test the Valencia flanks, the Valencia defense held firm, with a ball cannoning off the post before a defender cleared it away and Mamardashvili flashing quick reflexes on a powerful shot saved by the keeper. Earlier, Sergio Herrera repelled a firm shot from Racic from just outside the area.
There were only a couple of genuine chances in the opening half hour for either team, each side canceling the other out. Then Valencia began to press higher up the pitch, and a strong effort from Foulquier was again denied by Herrera. A neat mid ball from Bryan Gil nearly tipped the balance but was just kept out.
Moncayola came closest to opening the scoring for Osasuna just before the break, forcing Mamardashvili into a sharp save from distance. The first half finished goalless but hinted at the quality both teams could offer after the restart.
Early in the second half, a pivotal moment arrived when Foulquier fouled in the box, earning a penalty for Osasuna. Chimy Ávila stepped up and beat Mamardashvili with a confident strike. Valencia tried to respond quickly, and four minutes later a goal by Hugo Guillamón was ruled out after a VAR review, much to the hosts’ disappointment.
After the golden moment, Osasuna dropped deeper and sought to protect what they had while inviting Valencia forward. The visitors found it hard to carve out clear chances, and the Navarrese counterattack looked dangerous every time they moved forward. The second goal came through a precise header from Budimir in the 74th minute, following a superb cross from Rubén García.
Valencia continued to push for an equalizer as the clock ran down. Soler’s late penalty in the 82nd minute briefly rekindled Valencia’s hopes, and the home side pressed with renewed urgency. But Osasuna maintained composure in defense and looked dangerous on the break, denying Valencia any decisive breakthrough in the closing minutes.
The final whistle confirmed Osasuna as the winners, a result that propelled them above Valencia in the standings and into ninth place. Valencia, while still within reach of European qualification, saw their prospects become more challenging as they edged closer to the lower European spots on offer that season.
Data sheet:
1 – Valencia: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Diakhaby (Mosquera, m.85), Guillamón, Gayà (Jesús Vázquez, m.85), Racic, Ilaix (Carlos Soler, m.65), Helder Costa (Marcos André, m.65), Bryan Gil (Cheryshev, m.74), Guedes and Hugo Duro.
2 – Health: Herrera, Nacho Vidal, David García, Aridane, Manu Sánchez, Torró, Oier (Javi Martínez, m.64), Cote (Rubén García, m.64), Moncayola, Chimy Ávila (Darko Brasanac, m.73), and Budimir.
Goals: 0-1, m.50: Chimy Ávila, from the penalty spot. 0-2, art.74: Budimir. 1-2, m.82: Carlos Soler, from penalty.
Judge: Mario Melero López (Andalusian Committee). Locals Foulquier and Gayà and visitors Oier and Torró showed yellow cards.
Incidence: La Liga Santander, 32nd round, played in front of 30,148 spectators at Mestalla Stadium. The historical Valencia player Argentinian Claudio López, nicknamed Piojo, participated in the match.