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Played
March 22, 2012 6:00 AM EST
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: Carlos Del Cerro
Attendance: 39000
March 22, 2012 6:00 AM EST
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: Carlos Del Cerro
Attendance: 39000
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| Valencia | 10.00 | 8.50 | 1.29 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 50.00 | 1.27 |
| Draw | 3.00 | 3.10 | 5.00 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 4.80 | 6.00 |
| Zaragoza | 1.50 | 1.60 | 11.00 | 12.00 | 11.00 | 1.15 | 11.00 |
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Apoño
Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Valencia 1-2 Zaragoza: Unai Emery's side embarrassed as Apono rocket earns points for nine-man visitors
Manolo Jimenez's side held on to record an invaluable victory moving them to within five points of safety as Los Che's grip on third place loosens
By Daniel Quinton-Navarro
Pablo Hernandez - Valencia
In a match embroiled in contentious decisions, nine-man Zaragoza recorded a 2-1 victory over a stunned Valencia side at Mestalla thanks to a brace from Apono.
Pablo Hernandez fired the home side ahead before the referee took centre stage. Zaragoza were reduced to 10 when the referee dismissed Pablo Alvarez for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Despite being a player short, Zaragoza were awarded a suspect penalty allowing Apono to net the equaliser in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, and the Spaniard silenced the home crowd with a magical finish 13 minutes from time to record an unexpected triumph.
Roberto Soldado orchestrated Los Che's first meaningful attack of the match, when his chipped pass found Antonio Barragan. The marauding full-back picked out Artiz Aduriz at the far post who was subsequently denied by Roberto's sprawling save.
Valencia's prolific striker turned creator a second time soon after when he collected a throw-in on the near touchline. Soldado turned and sped into the penalty area before finding Hernandez in space on the penalty spot allowing him to provide a cool finish.
The Aragonese outfit were unable to disrupt Valencia's rhythm and found their task made harder when Alvarez was sent off. Aduriz found himself clear of the Zaragoza defence before the stopper brought him to ground with a clumsy challenge, which the referee judged to be worthy of a red card despite the covering defenders.
In another contentious decision from the referee, Zaragoza were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty following Dealbert's overzealous defending. Despite Valencia's prolonged protestations, Apono wasn't complaining as the midfielder finished with aplomb to level the match.
As was to be expected Valencia barraged Roberto's goal for the remainder of the first half but despite crafting a number of chances, Aduriz, Soldado and Jonas all failed to put the home side ahead.
Following the restart, Valencia continued to be infuriated by the officials when they appealed for a penalty. Maurizio Lanzaro appeared to have handled the ball inside the area but the referee remained unmoved, gesturing for play to continue.
The hosts were limited to scrambled chances in the second half but were nearly rewarded for their perseverance. Following a desperate passage of play from the Zaragoza defence, Jonas had a wonderful chance to put the home side ahead, but the Brazilian inexcusably put his effort wide.
Despite their attacking intent for much of the half, Valencia found themselves behind after a swift counterattack. Lafita disposed Adil Rami before laying the ball off to Apono, who scored his second of the night with an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net.
The home side committed numbers forward in the dying embers of the game but Zaragoza were able to hold out despite being reduced to nine men following Franco Zuculini's reckless foul. The win moves Manolo Jimenez's side to within five points of safety whilst Valencia's grip on third loosens just a little.
Pablo Hernandez fired the home side ahead before the referee took centre stage. Zaragoza were reduced to 10 when the referee dismissed Pablo Alvarez for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
| Bet: | Returns: | Betis $20.60 | Draw $37.00 | Zaragoza $38.50 |
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Despite being a player short, Zaragoza were awarded a suspect penalty allowing Apono to net the equaliser in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, and the Spaniard silenced the home crowd with a magical finish 13 minutes from time to record an unexpected triumph.
Roberto Soldado orchestrated Los Che's first meaningful attack of the match, when his chipped pass found Antonio Barragan. The marauding full-back picked out Artiz Aduriz at the far post who was subsequently denied by Roberto's sprawling save.
Valencia's prolific striker turned creator a second time soon after when he collected a throw-in on the near touchline. Soldado turned and sped into the penalty area before finding Hernandez in space on the penalty spot allowing him to provide a cool finish.
The Aragonese outfit were unable to disrupt Valencia's rhythm and found their task made harder when Alvarez was sent off. Aduriz found himself clear of the Zaragoza defence before the stopper brought him to ground with a clumsy challenge, which the referee judged to be worthy of a red card despite the covering defenders.
In another contentious decision from the referee, Zaragoza were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty following Dealbert's overzealous defending. Despite Valencia's prolonged protestations, Apono wasn't complaining as the midfielder finished with aplomb to level the match.
As was to be expected Valencia barraged Roberto's goal for the remainder of the first half but despite crafting a number of chances, Aduriz, Soldado and Jonas all failed to put the home side ahead.
Following the restart, Valencia continued to be infuriated by the officials when they appealed for a penalty. Maurizio Lanzaro appeared to have handled the ball inside the area but the referee remained unmoved, gesturing for play to continue.
The hosts were limited to scrambled chances in the second half but were nearly rewarded for their perseverance. Following a desperate passage of play from the Zaragoza defence, Jonas had a wonderful chance to put the home side ahead, but the Brazilian inexcusably put his effort wide.
Despite their attacking intent for much of the half, Valencia found themselves behind after a swift counterattack. Lafita disposed Adil Rami before laying the ball off to Apono, who scored his second of the night with an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net.
The home side committed numbers forward in the dying embers of the game but Zaragoza were able to hold out despite being reduced to nine men following Franco Zuculini's reckless foul. The win moves Manolo Jimenez's side to within five points of safety whilst Valencia's grip on third loosens just a little.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
46 | 4 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
34 | 6 |
|
Radamel Falcao Striker Atl. Madrid |
28 | 8 |
|
Roberto Soldado Striker Valencia |
21 | 5 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
20 | 3 |