Valencia vs Sevilla: Seville edge Valencia with late finish as Cavani struggles to spark attack

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In a Sunday clash at Mestalla, Sevilla secured a 0-2 victory over Valencia thanks to goals from Badé and Suso. The Valencians, again unable to string together the decisive moves, found themselves overwhelmed by a compact, efficient opponent who never looked flustered. With the win, Sevilla widened the gap to the relegation line, sitting eight points clear of danger as the season presses on.

Both clubs carried reputations as underachievers in recent campaigns, with Valencia aiming to reclaim top-table prestige and Sevilla seeking to shake off instability. Edinson Cavani, the Uruguayan veteran, operated with Gayà deployed as a roaming midfielder and winger. Sevilla, steadier in attack, served as the reference point for pressure and coordination, while En-Nesyri pressed high and urged teammates to reveal the hosts’ defensive gaps.

Early on, Foulquier advanced down Valencia’s right flank and delivered a dangerous cross that forced Dmitrovic to react decisively, sending the ball into a corner. Sevilla carved out their first real threat through a move involving Ocampos, whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Mamardashvili in the 10th minute. Valencia controlled possession for long stretches, trying to punish the spaces on the flanks, yet repeatedly fell short when it mattered most in the final third. The tempo remained high as both sides traded blows, but the score line stayed level as the half wore on. Valencia finished with Gayà, Musah, Cavani, and Ilaix in a bid to turn the screws, while Sevilla appeared calm defensively and trusted their counter to puncture the hosts’ nerve in crucial moments.

When play resumed, Valencia exploited a momentary loose touch from Suso, launching a quick counterattack. Gayà delivered a low cross into the box, but Rekik anticipated Musah and cleared ahead of him, stunning the young American and denying a clear path to goal. Suso answered with a wide blast that tested the post, a sign of the danger Sevilla posed on the break.

Shortly after, a corner led to a tumble in the Valencia box as Badé collided with Musah. Though the ball fell back to Ilaix, Nervión players quickly asserted themselves and Badé remained calm to poke the ball into a net that had just become the opening tally in the 55th minute. The stadium’s tension surged as Valencia defenders protested the decision, and fans voiced their discontent with a perceived misjudgment by the officiating crew, amplifying the drama of the moment.

What a strike from Suso—a moment captured and remembered by Sevilla fans and viewers alike. The goal sent ripples through the coverage and was celebrated in real time on social platforms, with commentators praising the precision and timing that carved Valencia’s resolve in half. The moment was captured by broadcasters, underlining the quality of the finish and the psychological impact it had on the hosts.

Later, the match endured a tense exchange over a handball incident involving a Sevilla player named Fernando. The referee consulted the monitor but chose not to issue a penalty, much to Valencia’s disbelief, as the hosts questioned the decision amid rising frustration. The game kept tilting in Sevilla’s favor as Suso teased another attempt from behind Montiel, finally sending a shot that grazed the far post and extended the visitors’ lead in the 75th minute.

The last phase of the match descended into a more heated, open contest as Del Cerro Grande issued a late penalty decision for Valencia after a chaotic sequence near the box. The reality of the decision altered the balance slightly, and the official later revised the call upon review, choosing to penalize Ilaix Moriba for a tackle that had previously gone unpunished. In the closing minutes, Valencia pushed with urgency, aiming to shrink the deficit through Gayà and Lino, but the door appeared shut for any late miracle as the clock ran down and Sevilla held firm. The final whistle confirmed a deserved win for Sevilla, a result that left Valencia with questions to answer about balance, decision-making, and finishing in front of goal.

Across the network, pundits noted Sevilla’s disciplined structure and roundly praised Suso’s creative influence, recognizing how the winger’s ability to pick runs and deliver precise crosses could unlock games when the tempo demanded patience. Valencia, meanwhile, must reassess their approach to high-press phases and capitalizing on set pieces if they intend to climb the table and reclaim momentum in upcoming fixtures.

According to DAZN Spain, the match highlighted the precise moments when Sevilla exploited Valencia’s defensive gaps, with Suso’s curling strike and Badé’s composed finish serving as catalysts for the result. The coverage underscored the strategic themes of the game: Sevilla’s compact defense, quick transitions, and effective use of wide areas, contrasted with Valencia’s struggle to convert possession into meaningful chances and to apply enough pressure in the final third. This encounter added another chapter to a season where both teams are fighting to define their identities and secure important points in a demanding campaign.

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