Gayà delivers Valencia lifeline with career-defining strike at Getafe | OneFootball

José Luis Gayà struck in Getafe to seal Valencia’s first away win of the season, a result that moved them out of the relegation places after Alavés later lost at the Metropolitano.

According to AS, team-mates embraced their captain in the dressing room, a gesture of thanks and recognition after a difficult few months. Lucas Beltrán said he deserved it and that he is their example to follow. It was the most important goal of his career.

In his 392nd game for Valencia, Gayà lifted the ball over Soria with a deft finish his coach Carlos Corberán described as unusual for a full-back. He kept celebrations muted, knowing the team still had seven minutes plus stoppage time to negotiate at the Coliseum.

The victory also put Getafe firmly in the survival fight and confirmed Valencia hold the head-to-head against them.

Gayà’s previous goal came on seven January 2024 in the Copa del Rey at Cartagena, where he scored in the 106th minute to send Valencia into the last 16 without penalties.

He now has 12 goals for Valencia, including two other Copa strikes against Espanyol and Barakaldo. His first as a professional arrived on 25 September 2014, in the 25th minute of a 3-0 win over Córdoba at Mestalla, and his other league goals came against Espanyol, Leganés, Alavés, Barcelona, Mallorca, Almería and Cádiz.

Source: AS