Paco Alcácer was sent off

Valencia CF came agonisingly close to victory on Matchday 14 of the La Liga season, but ended up sharing the points with Granada CF after a late equaliser from the home side. A fantastic first goal in a Valencia CF shirt for Álvaro Negredo appeared to have won the game for VCF, but it was only the start of a crazy final few minutes –in which Paco Alcácer was sent off and Granada got back on terms.

Granada controlled the game in the opening minutes, before Nuno’s side began to deny them space and show their superior quality on the ball. The best chance of the opening quarter-hour fell to Dani Parejo, who shot into Granada defender Babin’s legs after an Antonio Barragán cross and Rodrigo flick-on.

A solo move from Negredo gave him a clear chance when he controlled the ball with his back to goal, brought it down and quickly turned, but he missed the finish with his left foot.

Permissive referee Mr. Hernández Hernández let Granada player Foulquier off for laying his hands on José Gaya, but did show a yellow to Valencia CF’s André Gomes for pushing an opponent off the ball. Likewise, Córdoba aimed an elbow at Nicolás Otamendi –for which he received only a yellow card. With a different official, Granada could have been down to nine men.

A languid first half came to a close with the score still at 0-0. Negredo’s chances had been the best of the game so far.

The first chance after the break went to Granada, with Diego Alves in the Valencia CF goal not required to make a stop as the effort went wide. VCF began to recover their identity from then on, and they added their ambition to a game that was still rough and lacking in flow. Negredo was once again presented with an opportunity for the opener, but his 71st minute effort clattered against the post with goalkeeper Roberto beaten.

Nuno made two changes shortly afterwards, with Rodrigo de Paul replacing Sofiane Feghouli after impressing in midweek, and Rubén Vezo coming on after Shkodran Mustafi picked up an injury. The manager waited only a few minutes more before putting Alcácer into the mix to search for a goal.

De Paul did indeed make an impact, and he provided the first goal of a game which looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw. After opening his own account against Rayo Vallecano in the cup, he set up Negredo to score his maiden goal for Valencia CF. The Argentine put in a magnificent ball, which fell to ‘The Beast’ to blast home from inside the box. VCF were ahead, and Negredo was celebrating his first goal in an official match since January.

There were two unwanted twists in the tale, however, and a dubious sending off for Alcácer after a tangle with Juan Carlos left Valencia down to ten men. In the following move, Isaac Success followed up from a Diego Alves save to equalise late in the game –prolonging Valencia CF’s tough run of results in the Liga BBVA.

Spanish Primera División

Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, Granada (Attendance: 15,638)

Granada CF 1 vs. 1 Valencia CF

Granada: Roberto, Nyom, Babin, Murillo, Juan Carlos, Foulquier, Iturra, Fran Rico, Piti, Córdoba (Isaac, m. 68) and El-Arabi.

Valencia CF: Diego Alves, Barragán, Mustafi (Vezo, m. 76), Otamendi, Gayà, Javi Fuego, Parejo, André Gomes, Feghouli (De Paul, m. 72), Negredo and Rodrigo (Alcácer, m. 81).

Goals: 0-1. M. 83: Negredo. 1-1. M. 88: Isaac.

Referee: Hernández Hernández. Yellow cards for Foulquier, Córdoba, Fran Rico and Juan Carlos (Granada), Gayà, Parejo, André Gomes and Diego Alves (Valencia CF). Straight red for Alcácer on 85 minutes.