Match Report: Santi Mina brace and Guedes wonder strike bring derby joy (3-1)

Valencia CF welcomed cross-town opposition Levante UD on Sunday 14 of April at Mestalla at 8.45 pm on matchday 32 of LaLiga Santander. Valencia CF had a perfect start to the game as Santi Mina gave Valencia CF the breakthrough inside two minutes with a brilliant header inside the right post.

The game had a high tempo and it was very open at both ends. Gabriel Paulista helped it on and Denis Cheryshev put it wide. A minute later, Neto Murara pushed away Roger Martí’s shot to keep it at 1-0.

Minutes later, the Russian headed it over following a quick exchange between Dani Parejo and Gonçalo Guedes who sent it into Cheryshev’s path. Valencia CF kept on pushing for the second goal through Daniel Wass who fired it over and Denis Cheryshev whose follow-up shot was cleared off the line by Coke over the 30-minute mark.

Santi Mina had the last first-half chance for Valencia CF with a header at the back post which was sent to safety by the Levante keeper. A Sant Mina early header made the difference in the Valencia derby at half-time.

Valencia CF came out in the second half looking to score. Levante UD had the first chance of the second half with a header from Rubén Rochina which was easily gathered by Neto. Moments later, Francis Coquelin headed it over.

Levante UD  made it 1-1 following a Carlos Soler own goal but the Levante  UD celebrations did not last long as Carlos Soler drove it into the box and set up Gonçalo Guedes with a  fancy drag-back into Gonçalo Guedes who slammed it across the keeper to put Valencia CF back in front.

Santi Mina made it 3-1 for Valencia CF with a goal-poacher finish to grab his brace on the rebound slotting it home after a great Carlos Soler shot which had hit the right-hand upright. Valencia CF had further chances through Gonçalo Guedes who delivered a return ball into Cheryshev, the Portuguese himself and Kang in who came on as a substitute but all three attempts went off target.

The Valencia derby finished 3-1 for Valencia CF. Marcelino's side will welcome  Villarreal CF for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals second leg on the 18th of April at 9 pm at Mestalla having a healthy 3-1 lead in the tie.  

Match Details:

3.Valencia CF: Neto, Piccini (Coquelin, m.31), Garay, G. Paulista, Gayà, Parejo (Gameiro, m.71), Carlos Soler, Wass, Cheryshev, Guedes (Kang In, m.78) and Santi Mina

1.Levante UD: Aitor Fernández, E. Cabaco, Rubén Vezo, Coke, Jason, Rochina (Bardhi, m.77), Rober Pier, J. Campaña, A. Luna (Moses, m.68), Roger (Borja Mayoral, 68) and J. Morales.

Goals: 1 -0. M. 2: Santi Mina. 1-1. M. 56: Carlos Soler(OG). 2-1. M. 57: Guedes. 3-1. M. 63: Santi Mina.

Referee: Undiano Mallenco, booked Carlos Soler and Kang In for Valencia CF, and Borja Mayoral and E.Cabaco for Levante UD.

Observations: Matchday 32 of LaLiga, played on Sunday at 8.45 pm at Mestalla before 42,120 spectators.