Valencia 1 - 0 Atletico de Madrid - Soldado make the difference

Posted Saturday, September 10, 2011 by PA

Roberto Soldado scored the only goal as Valencia made it two wins from two in the Primera Division at the expense of Atletico Madrid.

Soldado struck in the second half to settle a contest they had dominated, leaving the visitors still hunting for the their first victory of the new season.

Valencia were hoping to build on their opening win over Racing Santander and looked confident in the early stages with Soldado the first to catch a glimpse of goal with a shot which went wide of the left post.

Jeremy Mathieu was then given room to run through the Atletico defence but fired just over the crossbar as the home side continued to exert pressure.

Soldado managed to beat the offside trap to get in a shot from a tight angle, which was turned away by the feet of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

And the Valencia striker had another opening after 20 minutes with a right-footed volley which went over the bar.

The hosts were dominating proceedings but had nothing to show for their efforts, and Tino Costa was unable to change that when he failed to get enough power behind a low shot which was easily held by Courtois.

Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita had been a mere spectator so far, but faced his first test with a close-range strike from debutant Radamel Falcao, Atletico's record signing, which had to be palmed away.

However, Atletico found themselves defending again following the interval, and after Courtois had made another save to deny Jonas, the deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute.

Luis Miguel was the provider with a perfect cross into the area which Soldado met with a header into the top left corner.

Atletico had done little to inspire in the match so far, but with the side now chasing an equaliser they began to pose a greater threat.

Arda Turan drew a fine reflex save out of Guaita with seven minutes to go, the home goalkeeper having to tip the midfielder's right-footed strike round the post.

And Diego Costa also had the chance to level matters with a minute left, but his strike from the edge of the area was blocked by Guaita.