Hugo Duro breaks Valencia first-half goal drought after four months | OneFootball

Hugo Duro ended Valencia's first-half scoring drought in LaLiga by striking against Espanyol on Saturday. It was their first goal before the break since 30 September, when they last found the net against Oviedo. Superdeporte reports that the moment brought welcome relief for a side searching for confidence.

First halves had become a struggle at Mestalla, where chances were scarce and the team often relied on defensive graft rather than cutting edge. Anxiety grew as the weeks passed. Their numbers were better after the interval, especially in the last half hour.

Espanyol started the sharper and Valencia showed early doubt. The pattern flipped within minutes, with the hosts taking control even before the opener. The advantage only made their dominance clearer.

Lucas Beltrán was central to the move, releasing Duro into space. The striker checked his run, then went past Dmitrovic with ease before finishing.

The task was to rediscover a goal quickly to arrest the run and rebuild belief. For that reason Sadiq had arrived, though he waited on the bench. Duro kept his place and recorded his seventh LaLiga goal of the campaign.

Source: Superdeporte