Valencia tops Rayo 3-0 for first La Liga home victory

Valencia CF has routed Rayo Vallecano 3-0 at Mestalla Stadium to finally record its first home win of the 2018-2019 La Liga season.

Santi Mina scored a brace for the home side on Saturday night against an opponent that lacked effectiveness and initiative offensively and scarcely put the Bats' defense under pressure, reports Efe news.

The first half was intense and played at a brisk pace, with Valencia trying to impose its will from the opening whistle and Rayo showcasing a crisp passing game.

Valencia took a 1-0 lead 10 minutes before first-half stoppage time on a play in which Rodrigo got his head on a pass and sent it into the opposing area for Mina, who outraced a defender and slotted the ball home past Rayo net minder Stole Dimitrievski.

The hosts then took full control of the contest in the 61st minute when Mina scored on a corner-kick play.

Dimitrievsky managed to save one attempt by Gabriel Paulista, but Mina was there to gather the rebound and bury a shot into the roof of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

French striker Kevin Gameiro, who had replaced Mina in the 67th minute, then gave his side another insurance goal in the 76th minute when he scored on a counter-attack play off a pass from Rodrigo.

With its third La Liga win this season (and first home victory after five draws and one defeat), Valencia has provisionally climbed into the ninth spot in the Spanish-league standings with 17 points, while Rayo is second to last with just seven points.

--IANS

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