Valencia responded on the 14th minute of the second half with a goal by Eray Cömert, which again tipped the scales in favor of the home team. However, Espanyol equalized on the 34th minute of the second half after an own goal by José Manuel Arias Copete. The Navarre team struck at key moments and took an important victory away, while the Madrid team failed to maintain its performance throughout the match. The victory allowed Osasuna to pick up valuable points to stay firm in the middle of the table, while Rayo Vallecano lost ground and missed a crucial opportunity at home, in an increasingly even championship. As for the goals, Croatian Ante Budimir, Dutchman Jozhua Vertrouwd, and Spaniard Asier Osambela scored for Osasuna, while Rayo's only goal was scored by Senegalese midfielder Pathé Ciss. The course of the match saw Osasuna as the protagonist in the first half, when on the 29th minute they managed to open the scoring through Budimir. Espanyol, on the other hand, was once again left empty-handed away from home and continues in an uncomfortable position in the standings, forced to improve its performance to escape the bottom of the table in the upcoming rounds. The goals of the match were scored by Spanish forward Hugo Duro Perales, Swiss defender Eray Cömert, and Belgian winger Largie Ramazani for Valencia, while for Espanyol, midfielder Ramón Terrats and defender José Manuel Arias Copete scored, the latter into his own net. From the start, the home team showed an aggressive stance and managed to open the scoring on the 16th minute of the first half, when Hugo Duro Perales finished with precision after a good collective play. In the second half, Rayo Vallecano equalized on the 14th minute of the second half with a shot from Pathé Ciss, which revived the home side's hopes. When the draw seemed final, the referee awarded a penalty in stoppage time, and Largie Ramazani, on the 49th minute of the second half, converted it to seal the definitive 3-2. At the Vallecas stadium, Osasuna was efficient and defeated Rayo Vallecano 3-1, in another match corresponding to matchday 21. Espanyol tried to react with longer possessions, but went into the break at a disadvantage, failing to achieve sustained depth. In the second half, the visiting team quickly found the equalizer on the 9th minute of the second half through Ramón Terrats, which restored balance to the proceedings. Buenos Aires, January 24 (NA) -- Valencia C.F. secured a key victory by defeating RCD Espanyol 3-2 at the Mestalla stadium, in a match corresponding to matchday 21 of LaLiga. With this result, Valencia managed to solidify its position in the middle of the table and increased its distance from the most compromised positions, consolidating its present in the tournament. However, Osasuna was decisive in the final stretch: on the 46th minute of the second half, they went ahead again after an own goal by Jozhua Vertrouwd, and on the 49th minute of the second half, Asier Osambela sealed the definitive 3-1, closing an intense round of LaLiga.
