Valencia celebrates emotional return from deadly floods with win

Valencia made an emotional comeback with a 4-2 victory over Real Betis at the Mestalla on Saturday after at least 221 people died in floods in the region last month.

It was Valencia’s first match since floodwaters swept the province following heavy rainfall on 29 October, with matches against Real Madrid, Espanyol and Parla Escuela subsequently postponed.

The club used the occasion to raise money for the affected areas and commemorate those who died, with players and fans in tears ahead of kick-off.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Valencia boss Ruben Baraja. “It might be one of the most emotional moments I’ve ever had in football, it’s definitely one of them.”

defender Cesar Tarrega Valencia, whose family home in Aldaya was flooded last month and were among those visibly affected ahead of the match, opened the scoring with their first win since September 21.

Betis is somehow balanced Hugo Duro own goal, but two Duro goals from the right wing and another from the back Diego López It paved the way for Los Che to move out of the bottom of the LaLiga table with their second win of the season.

Chimy Avila It provided a consolation for Betis but Valencia held on to take the three points on a day that was as memorable off the pitch as it was off it.

Valencia announced that all matchday profits would be donated to help support and regenerate the hardest-hit towns, while players wore black instead of their usual white home jerseys as a sign of respect.

Before the match, as the two players emerged from the tunnel, a giant Senyera, the flag of the region, covered the playing surface and carried a giant black memorial symbol onto the pitch.

Later, as the region’s anthem was played, a huge tifo was unveiled showing the names of the towns and villages affected, prompting tears among Valencia players and fans.

“You got goosebumps when you saw the emotions, the atmosphere, the respect shown by Mestalla, how we paid tribute to the victims,” ​​Baraja said. he said.

“The victory is dedicated to all the victims and those affected. We stand with them. We want them to know that their club will help them and support them in rebuilding towns and villages. This victory was a truly special day for all of them.”

It was Valencia’s first game since a 1-1 draw with Getafe on 27 October and their first home game since a 3-2 defeat to Las Palmas on 21 October.

Following the floods, their Copa del Rey trip to Parla Escuela and their LaLiga home match against Madrid on 2 November were also suspended.

Villarreal’s LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano was also canceled that weekend, and second division matches involving Levante, Castellón and Eldense in and around the affected areas were also cancelled.

Several LaLiga coaches, including Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone, argued that the scale of the disaster should have stopped all football in Spain at the time.

Valencia was the last of these five clubs to return to the field; Villarreal, Levante, Castellón and Eldense played matches in the last two weeks.

Cleaning efforts continue throughout the region. It is expected to take months or even longer for destroyed homes and workplaces to be rebuilt.

While the final death toll published on Friday remained at 221, five other people were still missing.