Valencia managed to tame a tough rival this Sunday at the Mestalla, delivering a high-intensity performance that tilted the result in their favor. The decisive moment came when Pepelu converted a penalty from the spot at 45+7, a goal that followed Hugo Duro forcing the controversial call and keeping Valencia within striking distance of European spots.
Javi Guerra had already signaled Valencia’s intention to prove their resolve early on, launching a fierce attempt that foreshadowed a heated contest as San Mamés loomed on the horizon. Granada, meanwhile, faced a narrow defeat, with hopeful moments punctuated by a rollercoaster of play in the Cup and a frantic match at Villarreal that had moments of standout saves from Gerard Gumbau and Lucas Boyé.
The opening exchanges were marked by intensity. Hugo Duro, recovering from a suspected collarbone injury just a week prior, showed exceptional resilience by starting the match and pairing with Diego López to pressure Granada from the outset. Javi Guerra committed fully to Valencia’s cause, driving the team forward with relentless energy.
Granada, under pressure, carved a chance around the ten-minute mark through Uzuni, but Paulista and Camara answered with decisive defense. Paco López’s side began to feel more at ease as the match grew tenser, sticking to a plan that relied on long balls to pin Baraja’s men behind the back line.
Valencia’s early lapse allowed Morocco’s Selim Amallah to limp off after an injury in the 24th minute, while Canós entered the fray to disrupt Granada’s rhythm. The two teams battled to gain the upper hand, but there were few clear-cut opportunities as defenses held firm and the pace stayed brisk.
Uzuni’s control faltered after a precise Villar pass, letting Valencia regain momentum. Yet the first half still seemed destined to finish with a stalemate until Pepelu’s free-kick from the edge of the box unsettled the goalkeeper. Hugo Duro’s presence in the box, and the ensuing penalty, shifted the balance just before the break.
The striker, who had been in constant contact with the center-backs and was involved in a physical exchange, fell after a minor contact with Torrente. Pepelu seized the moment and fired a tight shot to the right post, giving Valencia the lead as the teams prepared to exit for the break. The reaction from Valencia’s bench was a mix of relief and fervent critique for the decision-makers involved, while Granada’s players stepped off with renewed urgency.
The move that would decide the match at Mestalla appeared straightforward yet carried heavy implications. It proved to be a defining moment, with Pepelu’s goal anchoring Valencia’s advantage and inching them closer to sealing a crucial win that would pull them nearer to European contention in La Liga.
The game pressed on in the second half with relentless tempo. The flow of play sometimes lacked continuity, yet Granada needed an equalizer, and Valencia needed a cushion, producing a clash that kept both sets of fans on edge.
Gumbau delivered a low direct free kick that curled in, but Mamardashvili was quick to gather. In response, André countered Canós with a sharp stop, while Bryan pushed from the left and saw his crosses blocked by Valencia’s keeper. As the clock wound down, Granada intensified their search for goals, while Camara cleared multiple dangerous balls from the area to safeguard Valencia’s lead.
In the closing minutes, both sides emptied their tanks. Granada pressed with urgency, but Valencia’s defense held firm and the hosts managed a disciplined containment effort to secure the win.
Data sheet:
1 – Valencia: Mamardashvili; Thierry, Paulista, Camira (Yarek, d.89), Gayà; Fran Pérez, Pepelu (Yaremchuk, m.89), Javi Guerra, Amallah (Canós, m.24, Foulquier, m.73); Diego López and Hugo Duro (Guillamón, d.73)
0 – Granada: André; Ricard (Manafá, m.82), Ignasi Miquel, Torrente, Carlos Neva (Carreras, m.73); Gumbau (Sergio Ruiz, m.73), Gonzalo Villar, Melendo (Puertas, m.73), Bryan; Uzuni (Callejón, m.82) and Lucas Boyé
Goals: 1-0, m.45+7: Pepelu (p)
Judge: García Verdura (Catalan Committee). Javi Guerra, Paulista and Foulquier were scolded by the locals, while Gumbau, Ricard, Torrente, Villar and Bryan were scolded by the visitors.
Events: The match on the 12th day of LaLiga was played in front of 44,922 spectators at the Mestalla Stadium. Before the start of the match, Valencia Formula 1 Academy driver Marta García took the honorary kickoff on the occasion of her championship.