AP, Madrid :
Brazilian-born striker Rodrigo scored a first-half goal to lead Valencia to a 1-0 win over Las Palmas and send Gary Neville’s team into the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
Rodrigo found the net from inside the area in the 20th minute to help Valencia advance 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Valencia last week.
Sevilla also advanced on Thursday thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over second division club Mirandes, reaching the semis 5-0 on aggregate.
Rodrigo scored Valencia’s winner after a nice play by Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes, redirecting his cross with a left-footed shot from close range. Las Palmas players complained of offside, but replays showed that the striker appeared to be in legal position.
The victory kept alive Neville’s hopes of winning a title this season despite Valencia’s struggles in the Spanish league, where it hasn’t won in 10 matches.
“Our fans deserved to enjoy a moment like this,” Neville said. “They have been patient with me and with the team in these past six weeks.”
The former Manchester United and England player is yet to win a league game since he officially took over the squad seven rounds ago.
“It has not been easy for us,” Rodrigo said. “It was important to advance to the next round, it gives us more confidence. We played well in the first leg but didn’t get a good result. Today (Thursday) we didn’t play brilliantly but we advanced, and that’s what was important.”
Brazilian-born striker Rodrigo scored a first-half goal to lead Valencia to a 1-0 win over Las Palmas and send Gary Neville’s team into the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
Rodrigo found the net from inside the area in the 20th minute to help Valencia advance 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Valencia last week.
Sevilla also advanced on Thursday thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over second division club Mirandes, reaching the semis 5-0 on aggregate.
Rodrigo scored Valencia’s winner after a nice play by Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes, redirecting his cross with a left-footed shot from close range. Las Palmas players complained of offside, but replays showed that the striker appeared to be in legal position.
The victory kept alive Neville’s hopes of winning a title this season despite Valencia’s struggles in the Spanish league, where it hasn’t won in 10 matches.
“Our fans deserved to enjoy a moment like this,” Neville said. “They have been patient with me and with the team in these past six weeks.”
The former Manchester United and England player is yet to win a league game since he officially took over the squad seven rounds ago.
“It has not been easy for us,” Rodrigo said. “It was important to advance to the next round, it gives us more confidence. We played well in the first leg but didn’t get a good result. Today (Thursday) we didn’t play brilliantly but we advanced, and that’s what was important.”
