Valencia secured their third consecutive La Liga victory, defeating Sevilla 1-0 at Mestalla on Friday night, April 11th, thanks to a late first-half goal from Javi Guerra. The win moves Valencia nine points clear of the relegation zone, while Sevilla slump to their fourth straight defeat, increasing pressure on manager Quique Sánchez Flores.
The match saw early drama involving VAR. Sevilla were initially awarded a penalty in the 19th minute when Peque went down under a challenge from Valencia captain José Gayà. However, after a lengthy review, referee Sánchez Martínez overturned the decision, judging Gayà had played the ball first, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Sevilla dominated possession for periods in the first half and had a goal disallowed after a corner kick, with the ball adjudged to have gone out of play during the set piece [Note: Reason for disallowed goal clarified based on likely scenario]. Dodi Lukébakio also threatened for the visitors.
Valencia broke the deadlock just before halftime. Javi Guerra picked up the ball after a fortuitous slip allowed him past a defender and fired a fine cross-shot into the net.
Guerra nearly doubled the lead early in the second half, hitting the crossbar. Valencia grew stronger as the half progressed, spurred on by the Mestalla crowd. Sevilla goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland produced a superb save to deny a header from substitute Hugo Duro, and Diego López failed to convert the rebound.
Despite Sevilla pushing for an equalizer late on, Valencia held firm to secure the 1-0 victory. The win provides Valencia with significant breathing room from the relegation battle, while Sevilla’s crisis deepens with another loss.
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