The final scoreline further highlighted Valencia's desperate need for reinforcements, as the hosts faded following a promising start against a transitioning Newcastle side. The Magpies rarely needed to hit top gear to secure the turnaround, eventually capitalising on their numerical advantage through a Yoane Wissa brace.

The encounter served as the team's final presentation at their historic home before the scheduled 2027 move to the Nou Mestalla. Summer arrivals Justin de Haas, Aliou Dieng, and Ryunosuke Sato were introduced to the Mestalla crowd for the first time, though the atmosphere turned sour as Carlos Corberan copped the first jeers of the season, with club president Kiat Lim watching on from the stands.

Deprived of a natural right-back, the manager was forced to deploy Jesus Vazquez on his inverted flank within a new-look back five, as Pepelu joined Tarrega and De Haas in central defence, flanked by Gaya on the left.

Valencia dictated the early tempo and looked to unleash Sato on the right, with the Japanese winger frequently drifting inside to pull the strings. However, the deadlock was broken within five minutes by a moment of individual brilliance from Filip Ugrinic.

Amidst chants of "where are the signings?" from the frustrated home support, the Swiss midfielder silenced the unrest momentarily with a thunderous long-range rocket that flew into the top corner, leaving Hornicek helpless. Osula looked for an instant response, darting behind the defensive line, but could only find the side-netting of Dimitrievski’s goal.

As the first half progressed, Newcastle gradually asserted themselves, though they struggled to test the home keeper. Elanga did have the ball in the net after latching onto a ball over the top, but the effort was promptly chalked off for offside.

The hosts went close to doubling their advantage through Gaya, only for Botman to produce a crucial block. The Dutch defender was involved again moments later, nearly turning a cross into his own net in a frantic defensive scramble that narrowly avoided an embarrassing own goal.

The complexion of the game shifted dramatically after the drinks break when Gaya was shown a straight red card. A reckless challenge on Elanga deep in La Liga side's half left the winger needing a stretcher and sparked a heated confrontation between both sets of players. With temperatures in Valencia soaring above 30C, the intensity dropped significantly heading into the interval.

Newcastle drew level shortly after the restart following a defensive horror show. A stray backpass from Guido gifted possession to Wissa, who made no mistake in clinical fashion against Dimitrievski. Valencia, hampered by their man disadvantage, struggled to regain a foothold until a series of changes provided some late energy.

While the arrivals of Danjuma, Dieng, and Otorbi offered more threat, clear openings were at a premium, with a tame Danjuma effort proving easy work for Hornicek. The sucker punch arrived late on as Matthias Jaissle's side executed a rare clinical break, with Wissa striking again to snatch a 1-2 win. At the final whistle, the Mestalla erupted in a chorus of boos, with the home fans making their feelings clear with chants of "Corberan, resign".

Filip Ugrinić

Achievements