Valencia gave a stirring second-half performance to come from behind and defeat Real Madrid 3-2 in a pulsating Supercopa first-leg clash at the Mestalla on Sunday.
Goals from Juan Mata, David Villa and Vicente were just reward for the hosts' continuous attacking endeavour, despite the best efforts of Ruud Van Nistelrooy to take something back to the Bernabeu with two clinical strikes for Bernd Schuster's men.
The game began at a frenetic pace as the hosts fulfilled coach Unai Emery's promise to go all-out on the attack from the first whistle but it appeared as though their fearless approach might cost them when they trailed against the balance of play at half-time.
The first of many good chances for Los Che arrived after eight minutes when Joaquin's searching cross from the corner of the 18-yard box found Villa in space eight yards from goal.
But visiting goalkeeper Iker Casillas was equal to his instant turn and shot, the quick rebound just evading the desperate outstretched boot of David Silva.
Two minutes later, Casillas had to be on his toes once again to prevent Mata's deflected cross from the left dropping inside the far post and it was to prove crucial as Madrid broke the deadlock moments later.
Ruud van Nistelrooy collected Ruben de la Red's excellent lofted pass in his stride and drilled a right-footed shot across Timo Hildebrand and into the far corner. It was typically cool finish from the Dutchman, although full-back Emiliano Moretti will be disappointed at not getting closer to his man.
The hosts should have equalised midway through the half when Silva's in-swinging free-kick was met by the unmarked head of Alexis but the defender failed to get a clean contact and the ball drifted narrowly wide of the upright.
After the break, Madrid were clearly intent on holding on to their lead but Valencia found a cutting edge and started to turn the screw.
The equaliser arrived after 56 minutes, Mata smashing a drive past inside Casillas' near post from 15 yards after Silva had cleverly dummied Joaquin's cross from out on the right touchline.
Madrid were clearly reeling and three minutes later Valencia took the lead as Mata then turned provider for Villa, with Casillas again at fault.
The Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner arrived at the near post to head into the far corner with his normally dependable Spain colleague having drifted out of his goalmouth.
At that point, the hosts appeared to be firmly in control but Schuster made a double substitution and it paid immediate dividends when Van Nistelrooy equalised from Arjen Robben's cross after 68 minutes. It was the former Chelsea winger's first contribution, having replaced the ineffective Robinho four minutes earlier.
Both sides then went in search of a winner in the final 15 minutes, resulting in a glut of half-chances and defensive uncertainty.
In the end, it was Valencia who prevailed when Vicente grabbed the winner with nine minutes remaining, poking home a loose ball - again at Casillas' near post - into the roof of the net.
The game began at a frenetic pace as the hosts fulfilled coach Unai Emery's promise to go all-out on the attack from the first whistle but it appeared as though their fearless approach might cost them when they trailed against the balance of play at half-time.
The first of many good chances for Los Che arrived after eight minutes when Joaquin's searching cross from the corner of the 18-yard box found Villa in space eight yards from goal.
But visiting goalkeeper Iker Casillas was equal to his instant turn and shot, the quick rebound just evading the desperate outstretched boot of David Silva.
Two minutes later, Casillas had to be on his toes once again to prevent Mata's deflected cross from the left dropping inside the far post and it was to prove crucial as Madrid broke the deadlock moments later.
Ruud van Nistelrooy collected Ruben de la Red's excellent lofted pass in his stride and drilled a right-footed shot across Timo Hildebrand and into the far corner. It was typically cool finish from the Dutchman, although full-back Emiliano Moretti will be disappointed at not getting closer to his man.
The hosts should have equalised midway through the half when Silva's in-swinging free-kick was met by the unmarked head of Alexis but the defender failed to get a clean contact and the ball drifted narrowly wide of the upright.
After the break, Madrid were clearly intent on holding on to their lead but Valencia found a cutting edge and started to turn the screw.
The equaliser arrived after 56 minutes, Mata smashing a drive past inside Casillas' near post from 15 yards after Silva had cleverly dummied Joaquin's cross from out on the right touchline.
Madrid were clearly reeling and three minutes later Valencia took the lead as Mata then turned provider for Villa, with Casillas again at fault.
The Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner arrived at the near post to head into the far corner with his normally dependable Spain colleague having drifted out of his goalmouth.
At that point, the hosts appeared to be firmly in control but Schuster made a double substitution and it paid immediate dividends when Van Nistelrooy equalised from Arjen Robben's cross after 68 minutes. It was the former Chelsea winger's first contribution, having replaced the ineffective Robinho four minutes earlier.
Both sides then went in search of a winner in the final 15 minutes, resulting in a glut of half-chances and defensive uncertainty.
In the end, it was Valencia who prevailed when Vicente grabbed the winner with nine minutes remaining, poking home a loose ball - again at Casillas' near post - into the roof of the net.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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