Valencia’s Spanish midfielder Carlos Soler shoots a penalty kick and scores a goal during the Spanish League football match between Valencia and Villarreal at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on March 5, 2021. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)
VALENCIA— Valencia scored twice in the last five minutes through Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes to beat visiting neighbors Villarreal 2-1 in La Liga and claim a much-needed three points for under-pressure coach Javi Gracia on Friday.
It seemed that Gerard Moreno’s first-half penalty would be enough to secure the points but Valencia’s late show means it is now eight league games without a win for Unai Emery’s side.
📺 @Carlos10Soler & @gguedesoficial spoke to #VCFMedia following the win vs. Villarreal CF ⤵️#JuntsAnemAMUNT 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/yY8NqaKfKs
— Valencia CF 🦇🍊🌊 (@valenciacf_en) March 5, 2021
Soler equalized with a spot kick four minutes from time after Maxi Gomez was felled in the box before substitute Guedes rifled home the winner in stoppage time.
The victory lifts Valencia to 11th on 30 points from 26 games, while Villarreal remains seventh with 37.