Valencia wrapped up the season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Barcelona, bringing an end to an 11-match winless streak in LaLiga H2Hs, though it still wasn’t enough to clinch European football for next season.
Match Report
Although they only confirmed their top-flight status six days earlier, Los Che entered the clash against the champions knowing a victory might still earn them UEFA Conference League football next season. Backed by a literally bouncing Mestalla crowd, the hosts started brightly and carved out several clear-cut opportunities within the opening 20 minutes. Diego López fired over from close range before Gavi blocked an attempt from Luis Rioja. López later set up Hugo Duro, but Valencia’s number nine painfully headed over. Carlos Corberán’s side looked eager to snatch a European place, forcing Wojciech Szczęsny into a save to deny Filip Ugrinić’s low drive. Barça, meanwhile, were slower to settle but almost took the lead when Alejandro Balde struck the side-netting after a clever one-two with Dani Olmo.
Robert Lewandowski later connected with Marcus Rashford’s corner at the near post, sending a header against the post to cap an entertaining first half. That opportunity shifted momentum after the interval, and shortly after the impressive López departed through injury, Barça finally broke the deadlock. Lewandowski marked his final appearance for the club with a goal after Pepelu’s headed clearance fell to Ferran Torres, whose cross-shot was turned in by the Polish striker at the far post.
Corberán’s men responded just five minutes later as Javi Guerra danced through Barcelona’s defence before slotting a left-footed finish beyond Szczęsny for his third goal in two appearances. Rioja then completed the turnaround and sparked pandemonium inside Mestalla, cutting inside onto his left foot and drilling a precise effort past Szczęsny following a blistering attacking move.
A third Valencia goal seemed imminent when Marc Bernal was penalised for a challenge on Jesús Vázquez. Referee Adrián Cordero Vega initially awarded a penalty, but VAR ruled the foul occurred outside the box. As time wound down, Andreas Christensen nearly restored parity, only for Stole Dimitrievski to deny him with an outstretched save.
The hosts eventually grabbed a third deep into stoppage time when Guido Rodríguez fired a low right-footed shot underneath Szczęsny’s outstretched hand to seal the points in style. The victory meant Los Che finished unbeaten in four consecutive league matches for the first time since last December and secured a respectable ninth-place finish. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick’s side closed out their campaign with a sixth league defeat in an otherwise outstanding season, ending eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
