Relegation-threatened Valencia continued their battle to escape the LaLiga drop zone against top-six challengers Osasuna, who had only lost three league games on the road this season.
Los Murcielagos came flying out of the blocks and were inches away from taking the lead inside five minutes when Samu Castillejo’s corner was met by a Mouctar Diakhaby header that went agonisingly wide of the post.
The visitors had only conceded 23 league goals so far this season, however, they looked defensively all over the place when Sergio Herrera brought down Castillejo as the last man.
The goalkeeper was initially shown a straight red card for the challenge, but luckily for the Spaniard, it was promptly rescinded following a VAR review by referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva.
Fortunately for Osasuna, Herrera was allowed to remain on the field as he was called upon immediately to make a superb save to deny Hugo Duro to ensure the game remained level at the break.
Six of the last seven LaLiga games Valencia had been involved in had been decided by a one-goal margin, and this fixture appeared to be following suit with both slides only managing one attempt on target between them after 65 minutes had been played.
It was a mistake that eventually broke the deadlock for the hosts when a Lucas Torro slip allowed substitute Samuel Lino to find Justin Kluivert at the back post, who then placed a beautifully curled shot into the top corner to make it 1-0.
Lino then missed a golden opportunity to double his side's advantage when he failed to convert a free header from a few yards out, instead being denied by another Herrera save.
Just as in the first half, Osasuna were momentarily reduced to 10 men - this time Aimar Oroz was shown a red card for a late challenge on Jose Gaya. However, once again after consulting VAR, Villanueva overturned his original decision.
In a frantic finish to the game, Duro missed the first penalty of his career with Herrera easily saving in stoppage-time, seeing the game finish 1-0 and lifting Valencia to 16th.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Justin Kluivert (Valencia)
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