Piccini’s last-minute goal secures Valencia’s 2-1 win over Huesca

Valencia, Dec 23 (IANS) Valencia's Italian defender Cristiano Piccini scored a last-minute goal to award his side a 2-1 home victory over Huesca in a La Liga contest held at the Mestalla stadium on Sunday.

Piccini scored the winner on a left-footed shot in the third minute of the second-half stoppage time to break the 1-1 tie after Spanish midfielder Dani Parejo had opened the scoring for the Bats 25 minutes into the game and Colombian forward Cucho Hern?ndez netted the equaliser after the break, reports Efe.

Valencia, who have tied six of their nine games at home so far, again lacked precision in finishing the scoring opportunities, while visiting Huesca made a huge effort despite the 1-0 deficit and came close to punishing the hosts by returning north with a point.

However, the game ended with the toughest way possible for Huesca with Piccini's late goal, making the modest team remain in the 20th and last spot in the standings with only eight points.

The visiting side had an intermittent ball possession but could not penetrate Valencia's defence, while the Bats had the upper hand during the first half, relying especially on the penetrations of its right-side duo of Piccini and Danish midfielder Daniel Wass.

However, Valencia's first goal came after Russian winger Denis Cheryshev regained the ball on the left side and set Parejo up for the opener, scored five minutes before the half-hour mark.

Just four minutes later, Huesca's captain Gonzalo Melero came close to equalizing, although his shot forced a save by Brazilian goalkeeper Neto that secured Valencia a 1-0 lead at the half-time.

After the break, Neto neutralized a quick counterattack by the visiting side, while Valencia's players squandered a couple of scoring chances.

Midway into the second half, the referee awarded Huesca a penalty kick after Valencia's Carlos Soler fouled Cucho inside the area. The Colombian's successful delivery gave Huesca an equalizer in the 72nd minute.

Afterwards, Valencia turned up the pressure on the guests but squandered several scoring opportunities until Piccini was set up for the winner by teammate Rodrigo in the stoppage time.

With its fourth win in the season, Valencia provisionally climbed into the eighth spot in the table with 22 points, pending Levante's clash against Rayo Vallecano later in the day.

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