Nacho Vidal struck in the dying moments of extra time to give Osasuna a dramatic 1-2 victory over Valencia at Mestalla. The Navarrese side had taken a first-half lead thanks to a penalty converted by Aimar Oroz. Valencia answered in the second period through a former Valencia youth product, Hugo Duro, who equalized and stirred hopes of a comeback.
In a game of high tempo and strategic intensity, Sergio Herrera produced a standout performance for Osasuna, making crucial saves that preserved the visitors nights points, despite Valencia’s late pressure. The home side had started with clear intent, pressing high and seeking to impose tempo, yet Osasuna managed to weather the storm until the decisive late stages.
Valencia opened with control and ambition, as coach Rubén Baraja looked to implement his plan with a youthful, dynamic squad. Osasuna, choosing a more measured approach, did not panic as Valencia tried to carve out openings. Midway through the first half, Pablo Ibáñez initiated a pivotal turnover in midfield that briefly shifted the balance, providing Osasuna with a moment to breathe. Aimar Oroz then earned a penalty after a VAR review, and his successful finish put Osasuna in front.
After the break, Valencia briefly lost their steadiness as Osasuna grew more comfortable, controlling the canvas of the game from their defensive block to rapid counter opportunities. The local crowd remained hopeful in the final minutes, as Valencia pushed forward in a bid to reclaim the lead, but Osasuna steadied themselves and held firm as time ran out.
During the second period of the restart, Baraja made tactical changes, bringing Andre Almeida on in place of Diakhaby and reshuffling the defense to push for greater pressure higher up the pitch. Valencia pressed relentlessly, aiming to bottleneck Osasuna and force a mistake that could swing the result. Almeida fired a sharp strike from outside the box that Sergio Herrera did brilliantly to parry, and Hugo Duro had a follow-up chance that narrowly eluded him as the ball sailed just wide of the post. Minutes later, Javi Guerra powered a header across goal to bring Valencia level, ending a long drought with his equalizer.
With the match balanced, Valencia continued to probe, but Osasuna found a late surge. A counterattack culminated in Nacho Vidal striking home after a rebound, sealing a dramatic 1-2 win for Osasuna in stoppage time of extra time. Valencia’s best efforts could not overturn the deficit, and Osasuna celebrated a hard-fought victory at the end of a pulsating fixture.
Data sheet:
1 – Valencia: Mamardashvili, Thierry, Cenk, Gabriel Paulista, Gayà; Diakhaby, Pepelu, Javi Guerra; Diego López, Fran Pérez, Hugo Duro.
2 – Osasuna: Herrera, Areso, Catena, David García, Juan Cruz; Pablo Ibáñez, Iker Muñoz, Aimar Oroz; Barja, Raúl García, Arnaiz.
Goal summary: 0-1, Aimar Oroz, penalty; 1-1, Hugo Duro; 1-2, Nacho Vidal, in extra time.
Referee: Polished Santana. Valencia had cautions for Hugo Duro and Diakhaby, while Osasuna received cards for Barja and Muñoz. The match, played on the third match day of the EA Sports League, attracted a crowd of 42,474 at Mestalla.