In the final match of Round 7 in La Liga, newly promoted side Real Oviedo pulled off a stunning upset by coming from behind to defeat Valencia 2-1 away from home, securing their second win of the season.
Originally scheduled to take place on September 29, the game was postponed by one day due to a red weather alert triggered by heavy rain in the region.
Pre-Match Outlook: A Clear Gap in Strength
Heading into the fixture, Valencia sat in 12th place on the league table after a decent run of form, recording one win and one draw in their previous two matches.
By contrast, Oviedo had suffered back-to-back defeats, dropping to second-last in the standings. Significantly few fans believed the visitors had a chance of leaving Mestalla with any points at all.
On paper, the difference between the two clubs was significant. Valencia’s squad was valued at around €160 million, far higher than Oviedo’s squad, which was worth less than €60 million. With the additional advantage of playing at home, Valencia were heavy favourites to secure all three points.
Valencia Takes the Lead Early
The hosts made a dream start to the game. Within just four minutes, Rioja delivered a precise through ball to Arnaut Danjuma, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to give Valencia a 1-0 lead. At that moment, everything was going according to expectations.
Missed Penalty Becomes the Turning Point
However, things began to unravel for the home side in the second half. In the 75th minute, Valencia were awarded a golden opportunity to double their lead from the penalty spot.
Danjuma stepped up to take responsibility, but he blasted his shot over the bar, wasting the chance to put the match out of reach. That costly miss gave Oviedo the confidence to push forward in search of an equaliser.
Rondón the Hero for Oviedo
The visitors seized the momentum late in the game. In the 85th minute, Luccari found the back of the net to make it 1-1. Just one minute later, Aihado provided an excellent assist for veteran Venezuelan striker Salomón Rondón.
The 36-year-old showed his experience and composure by smashing the ball past the keeper to complete the turnaround. Within the span of two minutes, Oviedo went from trailing to leading, leaving Valencia shell-shocked.
Ten-Man Oviedo Hold On
The drama did not end there. In stoppage time, Oviedo’s Illic received a second yellow card and was sent off, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Oviedo defended bravely and managed to hold onto their lead until the final whistle.
A Memorable Upset
With the victory, Real Oviedo ended their three-match losing streak and climbed up to 14th place in the league standings. Valencia, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat of the season and remained in 12th place.
This match not only delivered an unexpected result but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the game of football. Rondón’s decisive goal turned him into the hero of the night, while giving Oviedo a much-needed morale boost.
For Valencia, Danjuma’s missed penalty proved to be the defining moment of the game. The team will need to regroup quickly and make adjustments if they hope to avoid dropping more points in the coming rounds.
