Valencia's Spanish midfielder Carlos Soler celebrates with Valencia's Russian midfielder Denis Cheryshev (R) after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Valencia and Getafe at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on August 13, 2021.
A coolly taken penalty by midfielder Carlos Soler has given 10-man Valencia a 1-0 win over Getafe in their La Liga season-opener.
The home side had defender Hugo Guillamon sent off in Friday's cash - a straight red card - in the fourth minute for a studs-up challenge on Getafe midfielder Nemanja Maksimovic.
Soler then sent visiting goalkeeper David Soria the wrong way in the 11th minute.
Valencia always looked dangerous on the break in the first half and Soria denied them a second when he blocked Denis Cheryshev's shot in the 36th minute, with Getafe's possession failing to produce chances at the other end.
Mauro Arambarri twice rattled the woodwork for Getafe in the second half as the visitors piled the pressure in search of an equaliser, but Valencia held on with some rugged defending in the closing stages.
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