Hugo Duro struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw for Valencia at the Mestalla, stretching their unbeaten LaLiga run to four matches (W1, D3) and handing Sevilla another frustrating result in a season full of them.
Straight from their 2-1 Copa Del Rey victory against CD Extremadura, you would expect Sevilla to carry on the momentum, but it wasn’t to be away from home.
Despite both teams sitting lower in the table than they’d like, the match opened with plenty of energy. Arnaut Danjuma carved out the first real chance for the hosts but hesitated just long enough for Sevilla’s defence to recover and block his attempt.
Softfootball understands that the visitors, led by league debutant Oso, quickly grew into the game. His constant pressing and sharp distribution allowed Sevilla to dictate play, and Akor Adams twice found himself in promising positions but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Valencia, oddly passive, seemed more focused on disrupting Sevilla than creating anything of their own. A string of fouls slowed the pace, but it didn’t help Los Che either.
Hugo Duro, their main attacking outlet and the hero in their last league victory against Levante with a lovely taken bicycle kick, didn’t register a single touch in Sevilla’s penalty area during the entire first half. With both midfields cancelling each other out, the game drifted into a messy, congested battle before the break.
Sevilla emerged for the second half looking sharper, with Peque Fernández finding pockets of space to influence the game. Valencia pushed a bit higher as well, though their finishing remained wasteful; Lucien Agoumé’s wild effort into the upper tier summed up the overall sloppiness.
The opener came from a moment of misfortune, as Oso whipped in a superb cross that César Tárrega inadvertently turned into his own net just before the hour mark. His effort was duly recognised by an appreciation post uploaded via the team’s official X account.
The goal finally jolted Valencia into life. Thierry Correia flashed a near-post effort wide, and substitute Lucas Beltrán felt he was denied a clear penalty, but his introduction injected much-needed urgency.
Sevilla looked dangerous on the counter as Valencia pushed bodies forward, yet it was the home side who delivered late drama when Duro smashed in an injury-time equaliser, sending the Mestalla into relief rather than celebration.
Although Valencia have now gone 43 straight LaLiga matches without winning after conceding first, this comeback will feel almost like a victory. Sevilla, meanwhile, have just one win in their last seven league outings, leaving them stuck in mid-table with lingering frustration.
