Valencia Continues Winning Streak with Narrow Triumph Against Sevilla

Valencia extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with a 1-0 victory over Sevilla at home in La Liga, pushing themselves nine points clear of the relegation zone.

The visitors started the first half on the front foot, with Albert Sambi Lokonga forcing Giorgi Mamardashvili into action early with a couple of long-range attempts.

Lokonga found the back of the net just before the half-hour mark, volleying in from a Dodi Lukebakio corner, but his goal was ruled out as the delivery had gone out of play.

Lukebakio then went for goal himself, yet Mamardashvili stood strong to deny him. The Belgian soon turned into a provider again for Isaac Romero, who narrowly missed the target with a close-range shot.

Despite Sevilla arguably controlling much of the first half, it was Valencia who claimed the lead at the interval.

Javi Guerra netted with the final kick of the half, cutting inside before finding the far corner of the net. Just prior to this, Valencia had almost taken the lead too, with Loic Bade nearly turning the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a cross, only for it to bounce off the crossbar. Jose Gaya was quick to respond, but Orjan Nyland made a fine save to thwart his effort.

The second half began with a bang as Guerra was denied a second goal by a remarkable save from Nyland, who tipped the shot onto the crossbar. At the other end, Lokonga was thwarted again by Mamardashvili, who pushed his curling effort away from danger.

With both teams creating chances, Nyland was once more called into action, executing a brilliant save to keep out a diving header from substitute Hugo Duro. Sevilla kept pressing, with a Kike Salas effort flashing just wide as they sought an equaliser.

The match concluded with a 1-0 scoreline, marking Sevilla’s fourth consecutive defeat by that margin. This result also signifies their first loss at the Mestalla in their last seven visits, allowing Valencia to leapfrog them in the league standings.