Valencia extended their winning run to three matches with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sevilla at the Mestalla, as Nigerian internationals Umar Sadiq and Chidera Ejuke played key roles in the La Liga encounter.
The decisive moment came deep into first-half stoppage time, when Javi Garcia found the back of the net to hand Valencia a crucial lead.
The goal proved enough to condemn Sevilla to their fourth consecutive defeat, further deepening the woes of the Andalusian side.
Umar Sadiq, who was handed a starting role by the Valencia coaching staff, showed flashes of his attacking prowess during his 60 minutes on the pitch.
The striker, currently on four goals this season, has now made 11 league appearances.
Though he didn’t add to his tally in this match, his movement and presence in the final third were vital in creating space and disrupting Sevilla’s defensive organisation.
Chidera Ejuke was introduced in the 66th minute, offering Valencia additional energy and flair on the flanks.
The winger, making his 20th league appearance of the campaign, has contributed two goals so far this season and continues to be a valuable asset in the team’s attacking transitions.
Valencia’s recent resurgence includes a shock 2-1 victory over defending champions Real Madrid, and their latest result lifts them to 12th in the standings with 37 points.
Sevilla, meanwhile, find themselves just one place below in 13th with 36 points, as pressure mounts on their campaign amid a string of disappointing performances.
Despite Sevilla’s attempts to mount a comeback in the second half, they struggled to break down a resolute Valencia defence.
The hosts remained compact and disciplined, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili making key saves to preserve the lead and secure a clean sheet.
The victory at home not only offers Valencia a morale boost but also sees them continue their steady climb up the table.
With just a handful of fixtures left in the season, both teams will be eyeing a strong finish to avoid a late plunge into relegation danger.
While Sadiq and Ejuke did not get on the scoresheet, their involvement highlighted the growing influence of Nigerian talent in Spain’s top flight, with both players expected to feature prominently in the remaining matches.
