Softfootball understands that Valencia booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey with a composed 2–0 win over Segunda División side Burgos CF on a cold night at El Plantío.
While their La Liga form has been far from convincing this season, following their recent 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid and a 1-1 draw against Sevilla, the cup continues to offer a different story for Los Che, who once again showed their pedigree in knockout football.
After the game Valencia shared a post about the result via their official X account.
From the opening minutes, Valencia asserted control. They pressed high, moved the ball quickly, and dominated midfield through the calm presence of André Almeida and Pepelu Guillamón. Burgos, backed by a lively home crowd, tried to stay compact and absorb pressure, but they struggled to string together meaningful attacks.
The breakthrough arrived early, in the 10th minute. A well-delivered corner from Almeida found young defender Rubén Iranzo, who rose above his marker to power a header into the net.
It was a simple goal to concede, and one that underlined Valencia’s growing threat from set pieces. For Iranzo, just 21 years old, it was a big moment on a big stage.
Burgos attempted to respond with the odd forward surge, but clear chances were few and far between. In fact, they managed only one shot on target throughout the entire match, a statistic that summed up Valencia’s defensive control.
Umar Sadiq went close to doubling the lead before halftime, forcing a save from the Burgos goalkeeper, but the score stayed at 1–0 heading into the break. The numbers told the same story, with Valencia’s expected goals sitting around 0.65 at halftime.
The visitors wasted no time after the restart. Five minutes into the second half, Sadiq latched onto a clever through ball from Largie Ramazani and calmly slotted past the advancing Cantero to make it 2–0. The Nigerian striker’s finish, his first goal in the cup this season, effectively ended the contest.
Burgos made changes and pushed forward with more urgency, but Valencia’s backline, well-organised and led by César Tárrega, stood firm. A late free kick won by Danjuma in stoppage time reflected Valencia’s control rather than desperation.
The final whistle confirmed a routine, professional win. Valencia march on, their cup journey alive once again, while Burgos’ impressive run, which included upsets over Getafe and Zaragoza, comes to an end. Sometimes, the cup just brings out a different Valencia side.
