VALENCIA, SPAIN — Valencia's overwhelming territorial dominance proved frustratingly futile as they could only salvage a 1-1 draw against resilient Mallorca at Mestalla, leaving the hosts mired in 17th place on 15 points while the visitors climbed to 14th with 17 points. Despite controlling 70.8% of possession and peppering the Mallorca goal with 17 attempts, Valencia's wastefulness in front of goal condemned them to a share of the spoils that did little to ease their relegation concerns.
The visitors stunned the home faithful in the 23rd minute when Samú Costa capitalized on Mallorca's set-piece prowess. Antonio Raíllo rose highest to flick on a dead-ball delivery, and Costa pounced with predatory instinct, drilling a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner. The goal silenced Mestalla and gave Mallorca the perfect platform to execute their defensive game plan, sitting deep and inviting Valencia's pressure.
Valencia's response came seven minutes into the second half when Hugo Duro finally breached Mallorca's stubborn rearguard. Thierry Correia delivered a pinpoint cross that found Duro unmarked at the far post, and the Spanish striker made no mistake, powering a header from very close range into the bottom right corner. The equalizer ignited the home crowd and sparked a Valencia onslaught that would define the remainder of the contest.
The tactical battle became a study in contrasts as Valencia's possession-based approach crashed repeatedly against Mallorca's disciplined defensive block. César Tárrega and Cristhian Mosquera marshalled Valencia's backline with authority, while Martin Valjent and Antonio Raíllo formed an impenetrable barrier for the visitors. José Gayà came agonizingly close in the 57th minute, rattling the left post with a header from six yards out, epitomizing Valencia's frustration. The match grew increasingly physical, with 22 fouls committed and five yellow cards brandished, including bookings for Filip Ugrinic, Hugo Duro, and Mallorca's Mateo Joseph in a heated finale.
Valencia's statistical dominance told a damning story of profligacy. Despite launching 17 shots at goal compared to Mallorca's meagre four attempts, the hosts managed just two efforts on target. Their pressure yielded 12 corners to Mallorca's three, yet Leo Román in the visitors' goal remained largely untroubled, making just one save. Lucas Beltrán epitomized the wastefulness, heading over from point-blank range in the 78th minute when a goal seemed inevitable.
The turning point arrived in the final 20 minutes when Valencia manager Rubén Baraja threw caution to the wind, introducing Arnaut Danjuma and Diego López in search of a winner. The substitutions stretched the game, creating space for both sides, but Mallorca's defensive discipline held firm through seven minutes of added time. A late injury delay for Marash Kumbulla disrupted Valencia's momentum, and the visitors expertly managed the clock to secure a valuable point.
Looking ahead, Valencia will travel to face Celta Vigo on January 3, desperately seeking three points to climb away from the relegation zone.