Nigeria international Sadiq Umar delivered once again for Valencia CF as his second-half strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in Sunday’s La Liga clash.
The win continued Valencia’s impressive late-season resurgence and lifted the former Spanish champions further clear of the relegation battle with only a few matches remaining in the campaign.
Coming into the encounter under pressure to avoid slipping back into danger, Valencia showed urgency from the opening whistle but were nearly punished after being awarded a first-half penalty which Hugo Duro failed to convert.
Despite the missed opportunity, the visitors remained aggressive and eventually found the breakthrough after the interval.
Head coach Carlos Corberán introduced Sadiq in the 70th minute in search of a decisive moment, and the Nigerian forward wasted little time making his impact felt. Just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch, he connected brilliantly with a dangerous delivery from Luis Rioja, powering home a header that proved enough to separate both sides.
Athletic Bilbao pushed for a response in the closing stages, but Valencia held firm defensively to seal an important away victory.
Sadiq’s goal means the striker has now found the net three times in his last four appearances, underlining his growing importance to Valencia at a critical stage of the season.
The result moves Valencia up to 12th place in the La Liga standings and opens up a five-point cushion above the relegation zone, significantly boosting their hopes of survival.
