Valencia clinched a 1-0 victory over Athletic Club thanks to Hugo Duro’s superb second-half header. The win extended Rubén Baraja’s men to four straight wins, sharpening their European ambitions and signaling momentum at a pivotal point of the campaign.
Both sides arrived at Mestalla in excellent form, delivering a match that lived up to the buildup. Valencia and Athletic fielded two well-drilled, balanced outfits, and the result reflected the team with the healthier domestic run of form at that moment in the season.
From the opening whistle, clear tactical ideas guided both teams. Valencia rediscovered the discipline shown prior to their cup clash with a stubborn Celta side, while Athletic pressed high with a compact shield that allowed their attackers space to roam. An early reshuffle came when Sergi Canós picked up an injury, nudging Baraja to deploy two central forwards as Yaremchuk, the Ukrainian international, joined Diego López on the left flank, reshaping Valencia’s attacking lines.
Athletic looked comfortable in possession, waiting for openings as Nico Williams quickened play and Sancet moved intelligently off the ball. Williams produced the first meaningful moment for the visitors, but the Valencia goalkeeper kept him at bay, preserving parity in the early stages.
As the first half neared its close, Valencia found a spark. A high rebound tested the visitors’ defense, and Guillamón struck from distance. The decisive moment arrived from a corner when Yaremchuk directed a header toward goal and Unai Simón cleared with his heel, narrowly averting danger but signaling Valencia’s rising threat before the interval.
The arena responded with a roar after the break as Athletic intensified their pursuit. Sancet, supported by a well-organized Bilbao midfield, curled a diagonal attempt shortly after the restart, but the shot drifted wide as Valencia maintained its defensive resilience.
Valencia sought fast breaks, and Diego López delivered a precise cross at the near post after a burst of pace. Hugo Duro faced a moment of misfortune, missing a golden opportunity from close range. He didn’t dwell long, though, as a minute later he supplied a perfect cross into the center that Gayà headed home powerfully to put Valencia ahead.
Valencia pressed on, looking to double their lead on the counter. Yaremchuk found space but hesitated at a decisive moment, leaving Athletic a glimmer of hope as the clock ticked down. The hosts stayed alert, ready to absorb pressure and exploit any lapse on the break, a testament to the defensive discipline Baraja has instilled in this squad.
Athletic mounted a renewed push in search of an equalizer, combining energy and intent to pry open a still-relentless Mamardashvili in goal. The Valencia keeper answered the call on several occasions with decisive interventions that preserved the slender advantage.
As the minutes dwindled, Valencia steadied its shape and withstood late waves of attack. The side closed out the game with a disciplined defensive performance, resisting the drive of a determined Athletic outfit eager to restore parity. The result marked a notable win as Valencia eyes European competition, underscoring the depth and balance in Baraja’s squad and their potential to compete at a higher level later in the season. The victory stood as a clear signal of progress under Baraja, highlighting the team’s ability to grind out results when required and underlining the tactical evolution and improved coordination across their ranks. [citation]