Valencia has had quite the rollercoaster of a season, but they took significant strides toward redemption by winning their Copa del Rey match against Eldense on January 7, 2025, securing a 2-0 victory at the Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat. This was their first win in almost a month, as they stretched their focus toward capturing their first Copa del Rey title in six years.
Managed by Carlos Corberan, Valencia came prepared to the encounter with key players like Hugo Duro, Pepelu, Javi Guerra, and the new signing Cristhian Mosquera making appearances. The manager's calculated strategy paid off handsomely. Valencia struck first when Sergi Canós received the ball unmarked at the edge of the area and unleashed a stunning long-range shot just eight minutes after the kickoff, leaving Eldense goalkeeper Dani Martín with no chance.
Eldense, though they had been struggling, needed to push forward to equalize after conceding the early goal. They nearly did just minutes later, with Collado's shot grazing the target. The tension of the match escalated, but it was Valencia who took control. After exploiting Eldense’s defensive lapses, Diego López doubled the lead just before the halftime whistle, turning the contest firmly to the visitors' favor.
According to reports from Prensa Latina News, the cheers from the crowd turned to frustration as Eldense realized the top-flight quality of Valencia was likely to end their cup dreams early. Their momentum shifted when the referee missed what seemed to be a clear penalty call, emphasizing their struggles this season.
The second half saw Valencia masterfully manage the match, neutralizing Eldense’s efforts to penetrate their defense. Although Eldense’s fans buzzed with encouragement, with over 5,000 supporters rallying their players, the home team could only fight with heart, lacking strategic clarity against Valencia’s adaptive tactics.
With the players managing to retain their lead, Valencia nearly found the net again when Almeida converted from a rebound, only for the linesman to call it offside, giving Eldense their fleeting chance to regroup and reassess their strategy.
But the damage had been done. Valencia's defense was unyielding, and the home side failed to regain their earlier confidence. With the match concluding at 2-0, it sealed Eldense's cup hopes, forcing them to focus on their league performance. Their upcoming game against Eibar now looms before them, as they carry the burden of this defeat.
For Valencia, their eyes will be directed toward the Copa del Rey draw for the last 16, hoping to avoid heavyweights like Real Madrid or Barcelona, as they gained valuable momentum from this triumph. The team's next challenge will be balancing league concerns with the newfound lift the cup victory has provided.
Indeed, this match not only reflects the importance of the Copa del Rey for clubs like Valencia but also showcases the spirit of competition within Spanish football—where top-flight teams are often brought down to the wire against underdogs eager for success.