The match, originally intended to be played at UE Tavernes’ municipal ground, was moved to Mestalla due to infrastructure concerns regarding Spanish FA broadcast requirements. This logistical shift allowed the top-flight club to host the historic fixture for Tavernes, who compete in the Lliga Comunitat FFCV. Despite the significant gap in competition tier, Valencia produced a dominant performance that effectively concluded the contest within the first twenty minutes.
Valencia struck instantly, with the opening goal arriving before the first minute had elapsed on the clock. A fluid team move involving Sato and Aimar Blázquez culminated in a pass to Dani Raba, who made a run to the near post to finish clinically. The early strike set the tone for a one-sided affair. In the 11th minute, Raba lofted a ball over the defense to Hugo Duro, who finished from inside the penalty area to double Valencia’s lead. Shortly after, Luis Rioja extended the advantage to 3-0 following a corner; Arnau Martínez flicked the ball on to the back post for the midfielder to slot home.
The fourth goal arrived in the 15th minute, courtesy of a free-kick from Harvey Elliott, who opened his scoring account for the club. Valencia continued to press in the first half, with Filip Ugrinic hitting a powerful shot from outside the box that goalkeeper Mainar tipped for a corner, and Aimar Blázquez seeing a goal cleared off the line by Morenet before the break.
The second half saw Valencia increase the margin further. In the 55th minute, Aimar Blázquez scored his first of the night following a pass from Rioja. The same combination worked again moments later to make it 0-6, with Blázquez adding his second goal. UE Tavernes had a brief moment of potential consolation in the 55th minute when Erik’s shot struck the right post, but Valencia’s goalkeeper Van Oevelen remained largely untroubled, with Mainar forced into a late save against Mayol.
For Javier Aguirre, the result offers a crucial breather. The Mexican coach has faced a difficult start to his tenure, with Valencia languishing in the LaLiga relegation zone after accumulating only five points from a possible 15. They remain winless at Mestalla in league play, having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in their last competitive fixture. This cup victory, however, is officially recorded as his first win at the stadium, providing a psychological boost for a squad in need of consistency.
Valencia will next turn their attention to LaLiga, where they face a trip to Rayo Vallecano on November 21 for Matchday 13. In the Copa del Rey, they will await the second-round draw to be held later this month.
Match Statistics and Lineups:
UE Tavernes (0): Mainar; Palomares, Artur, Morenet, Talens (Seral, 46’), Talens (Erik, 46’), Alberola (Jesús, 60’), Brines (Roman, 74’), Meló, Toni, Aaron.
Valencia CF (6): Van Oevelen; Foulquier, Arnau (De Haas, 70’), Copete (I. Córdoba, 60’), Rioja (Gayà, 70’), Sato, Elliott, Ugrinic, Raba (Mayol, 60’), Duro, Blázquez.
