Sadiq goes from own goal to punish Padilla error with equaliser | OneFootball

Umar Sadiq went from villain to lifeline at Mestalla, his equaliser arriving after Athletic goalkeeper Álex Padilla’s costly mistake. According to El Correo, the blame had initially fallen on the Valencia striker for an own goal before the narrative flipped.

Athletic led 0-1 through a fortunate sequence. Foulquier conceded a needless foul, the ensuing wide delivery was swung in, and Sadiq, unchallenged, glanced a header into his own net, leaving Mestalla stunned. Valencia recently paid five million to Real Sociedad for the striker.

There was a twist of familiarity too. Sadiq overlapped with Navarro at Real Sociedad in 2022-23, and the earlier delivery had come from a former team-mate.

Relief came in the 34th minute. Padilla, Valverde’s pick for the Cup, failed to hold a straightforward cross, the ball slipped from his grasp and Sadiq reacted first to level.

It summed up a chaotic night for him, a misjudged header then a quick reaction to a spill. The Nigerian did not celebrate, instead he apologised to the stands.

Source: El Correo