Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar netted the crucial equalizer for Valencia in their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mallorca on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Coach Carlos Corberán named Sadiq in his starting XI for the Week 32 La Liga fixture. With both teams sitting just a few points above the relegation zone heading into the match, avoiding defeat was essential to maintain their survival hopes.
Entering the contest, Sadiq was desperate to end a goal drought dating back to February 15. However, he was largely quiet in the first half, struggling to make an impact as Mallorca dominated play and created the better chances—though they failed to capitalize before the break.
The game opened up in the second half, with opportunities flowing at both ends. Mallorca broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Samu Costa rose highest to meet a Sergi Darder cross, powering a header into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.
Valencia soon found their rhythm and began to press for a response. In the 67th minute, their persistence paid off. Sadiq reacted sharply to a flicked header from Javi Guerra inside the box, connecting with a diving header to level the score at 1-1.
Umar Sadiq
Mallorca 1-1 Valencia pic.twitter.com/hL9EJLK5z5
— LIVE GOALS (@FTLiveGoals) April 21, 2026
Sadiq nearly turned the game on its head in the 81st minute with a bold strike from distance, but the Mallorca goalkeeper saved it comfortably.
Despite some late pressure from the hosts, neither side could find a winner, and the points were shared at the final whistle.
Sadiq Umar's goal was just his second since joining Valencia in January. Since his move, he has been quite inconsistent. There have been times when his play has even impressed his teammates, and times when he has been below par.
Sadiq Umar To Spur Valencia's Survival Push?
However, this goal will be a a big confidence booster for him moving forward.
The Super Eagles star has endured many hiccups in previous years, and he will be hopeful of some sort of stability soon. As it stands, Valencia sit 13th, with 36 points from 32 games. They are just four points above the drop zone, with most of the teams below them having a game in hand.
There are still six rounds of games left to play in La Liga until the end of the season. Valencia must gather as many points as possible from their remaining fixtures if they want to stay afloat in the Spanish top-flight. Coach Corberan will be hoping that Sadiq continues to score more goals and help the team.
