Atletico Madrid travelled to Valencia on Saturday looking to make it 14 consecutive wins in all competitions and keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
However, they fell behind in the first period when Roberto Soldado converted a stunning volley from a seemingly impossible angle.
Atletico threatened to level in the latter stages, but a Nelson Valdez strike wrapped up the points for Valencia in the 95th minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Hello all! Our final commentary of Saturday comes from the Mestalla as Valencia host Atletico in La Liga. Victory for the home side could move them into seventh spot, while Atletico will attempt to keep pace with Barcelona with all three points.
Teams:
Valencia: Alves; Cissokho, Rami, Pereira, Costa; Gago, Feghouli, Guardado, Costa; Jonas, Soldado
Atletico: Courtois; Godin, Luis, Juanfran, Miranda; Tiago, Turan, Gabi, Emre; Adrian, Falcao
Valencia will look to Roberto Soldado to carry their goal threat this evening, but Atletico boast 10-goal striker Radamel Falcao in their ranks. He tops the goal scoring charts in La Liga without M and R. Without Messi and Ronaldo.
Right. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Both sets of players are ready to get this match underway. It is the game of the weekend for me. Let's hope it brings goals.
Here we go then. Valencia get us underway on this mild evening in Spain. The home side simply cannot lose this match. Can they? I am backing a 2-2 draw.
High-tempo start from both sides as Gabi combines with Falcao for Atletico. Meanwhile, Soldado threatens with a direct run into the heart of the opposing area.
Both sides are just exchanging spells of possession at the moment. No real chances for either side but both are intent on opening the scoring. We could be in for a real classic in Valencia this evening.
Valencia have just started to take control of the possession in the past few moments. But we are still awaiting our first real chance of the match. A lot of passing but not a great deal else at the moment.
The home side are in control at the moment with Gago and Feghouli enjoying possession in midfield. However, Jonas and Soldado have been staved of possession in advanced areas thus far.
We haven't seen anything from Falcao and Adrian as of yet for the away side. Meanwhile, Turkish midfield pair Emre and Turan have also struggled to get on the ball. But Atletico are so compact in defence.
It's good work from Adrian as he collects possession outside the box before winning a free kick. However, Falcao's effort is wide of the post. What was I saying about those two not seeing the ball?
Normal service resumes, however, as Valencia continue to force the issue. Guardado pops up on the left, but his cross is cleared by Miranda. How good has he been this season by the way? Terrific defender.
Chance! Best opportunity of the match falls to Atletico as Turan meets a Tiago cross in the box, but Alves makes the save. Meanwhile, Falcao has taken a knock in the area.
Bit of controversy here as Falcao is felled in the box by Pereira, but no decision is forthcoming. End-to-end stuff at the moment as we surpass the 20-minute mark.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Soldado)
Valencia take the lead and it's Soldado who thumps a terrific volley into the top corner. Brilliant technique from the striker.
All the talk has been about Falcao but Soldado reminds us what a fine player he is with that goal. It has given the home side such a lift. Now we will find out about this Atletico side.
Decent response from the away side as Turan wins another free kick outside the box. However, Rami jumps highest to clear the danger. It is a really even contest at the moment.
Half-chance for Atletico as Adrian strikes an effort from outside the box, but Rami blocks the danger. The match has just settled in the past few moments but both sides are a threat.
Valencia remain in control of the midfield battle with Gago and Costa first to every ball. However, Atletico are still very much in this match. There are two really good teams on display this evening.
Atletico attack this time as Luis advances down the left and forces a corner. However, Rami remains in control of the aerial battle and Valencia launch an attack of their own.
Again it's smart play from Atletico as Turan puts a ranging cross into the penalty area, but Rami clears the danger. It really is end-to-end stuff at the moment.
Half-chance for the away side as Turan finds Falcao in the box, but the Colombian loses his feet at the vital moment. Oh what a chance that was for the striker. He just could not remain on upright.
Atletico continue to carry a threat as Emre fires a searching cross into the box, but Alves punches the danger clear. It's all one-way traffic at the moment.
Valencia continue to drop deeper and deeper in the latter stages of this opening half. Will they be made to regret it? The next goal could really decide the outcome of this match.
Half-chance for the home side as Costa whips a dangerous free kick into the box, but the referee blows for a foul. Little under four minutes of the half remaining.
Atletico threaten with a free kick in a similar position, but Rami clears for what seems like the 20th time. He has had a stunning half of football.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of time at the end of the half.
Valencia 1-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. A singular strike from Roberto Soldado hands Valencia a half-time lead over Atletico Madrid. But in truth, the away side have been the better team.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Valencia have dominated possession with 59%, but the attacking pressure has come from Atletico. The away side have had three shots to Valencia's two.
I just cannot see Atletico not scoring in the second period. I backed a 1-1 draw before the start of play and I can see that score. The next goal in the match - if there is one - will more than likely to decide the result.
Right, the second period will get underway in around three minutes time. Can Valencia hold on for a much-needed three points? Or will Atletico's winning run of 13 games continue?
Here we go then. Atletico get us underway in the second period. This fixture last season ended in a 1-0 win for Valencia. And Soldado scored. Will that be the case this evening?
Half-chance for Atletico in the early stages of this half as Turan strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but Alves collects the danger. They have started on the front foot.
The match has just livened up in the past few moments with Valencia flooding forward in numbers. However, the danger is quelled by Miranda. I wander if we will see Mario Suarez for Atletico in the next 10 minutes or so.
Half-chance for Valencia as Jonas attempts to find the run of Soldado, but Miranda steps across to clear the danger. Meanwhile, Atletico launch an attack of their own, but Juanfran fires over the bar.
Atletico continue to play the better football with 10 minutes gone in the second period. They are a really strong outfit. However, Valencia remain strong in defence.
Valencia are just offering nothing as an attacking threat at the moment. Meanwhile, change for Atletico as Emre is replaced by Christian Rodriguez.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Turan finds the head of Falcao in the box, but his effort is over the target. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Valencia.
Rodriguez's first involvement of the match is a good one as he advances down the right, but Pereira makes the clearance. It is so delicately poised at the moment.
It's really bright work from Atletico as Turan plays a one-two with Falcao, but the striker is cut down in his prime by Costa. However, Alves punches the free kick clear of the danger zone.
Change for the home side as Rami is replaced by Victor Ruiz. Meanwhile, the away supporters continue to make the noise in the stadium.
End-to-end stuff at the moment with both sides playing long passes towards their forwards. However, it is coming straight back. The attacking threat is coming from Atletico though.
Change for Atletico as Gabi is replaced by Raul Garcia. The away side are showing their hand this evening. They have little over 20 minutes to rescue their unbeaten record.
Still Atletico pass and probe and pass and probe. However, Valencia are not giving the a moment in the final third as Atletico replace Tiago with Mario Suarez.
Chance! Best opportunity of the second period for Atletico as Suarez finds Turan in the box, but the winger can only fire into the side netting.
Alves punches another Atletico free kick out of the area. It is a strange one, but it has worked thus far. But the away side will keep on coming in the final 15 minutes or so.
Valencia create a chance with a rare attack in the second period as Guardado fires a low cross into the box, but Gago's effort is blocked by Luis. End-to-end football once more.
Suddenly Valencia spring into life with Jonas and Feghouli providing a threat. Meanwhile, Guardado tests the palms of Courtois from distance.
Atletico force another free kick outside the box as Turan is felled, but Alves deals with the danger once more. It has been that kind of night for them.
Meanwhile, change for Valencia as Jonas is replaced by Ever Banega. They have little under eight minutes of normal time to hold their lead.
Valencia continue to park the bus in front of their defence before breaking with speed and power. But you just get the feeling that there will be some late drama in this one.
Atletico will keep on pressing until the final moments. They notoriously score a lot of late goals. However, each free kick is being cleared by Alves. The pressure is just so intense.
Falcao throws himself at yet another corner, but the referee blows for a foul as Alves rolls around on the floor. I am not entirely sure how hurt the goalkeeper is there.
Final change for the home side as Nelson Valdez replaces Soldado. Little under one minute of normal time remaining. Added time should be interesting!
RED CARD: RICARDO COSTA: Valencia are reduced to 10 men as Costa is dismissed for a foul on Garcia.
Meanwhile, we will play an additional five minutes of added time. Atletico continue to attack with a host of corners.
It remains all Atletico as they continue to fire high balls into the penalty area. However, the danger is being cleared time and time again. One minute remaining.
GOAL! Valencia 2-0 Atletico Madrid (Valdez)
Valencia wrap up the win and condemn Atletico to their first defeat of the season as Valdez rounds the goalkeeper before finding the corner.
Valencia 2-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Atletico suffer their first defeat of the season as Valencia record a 2-0 win at the Mestalla. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
