The Nou Estadi de Tarragona hosted the second semi-final of the AL ABTAL INTERNATIONAL CUP on Monday, April 5th. The match, which pitted the Saudi Future Falcons “White” against Valencia CF, turned out to be a true duel of titans: while the possession belonged to the Saudi side, who practically monopolized the ball during the 90 minutes of the match, Valencia CF brought out a strong and robust team who had no fear of a more physical play.

Valencia CF arrived to Tarragona hungry for a good match and some goals, but the constancy and patience that characterizes the game of the Saudi Future Falcons “White” allowed them to score the first goal of the match, with a spectacular play by Hussain Muyini in the 23rd minute of the game.

In the second half, the valencian team took the field revitalized, playing with a technic touch and with a more combative attitude than in the first forty-five minutes. Despite managing to regain some of the possession and create numerous scoring opportunities, the team seemed unable to materialize their chances. The tension increased and with it the nerves of both teams. Valencia CF took advantage of this and, in the 90th minute, Victor Esquerdo managed to score the goal that his team was so desperate for, ending the match with a 1-1 score and giving way to a round of penalties that would decide everything.

Both teams were aware that they were playing for a place in the final in an “all or nothing” game. The penalty round would prove to be even more frantic than the match itself, with two stars shining particularly bright: the goalkeepers of the Saudi Future Falcons “White” and Valencia CF, who managed to save 2 and 3 shots respectively, feats hard to believe, but which decided the final result of the semi-final.

Thanks to that, Valencia CF qualifies for the long-awaited final of AL ABTAL INTERNATIONAL CUP, to be held on Wednesday, April 7th at the Nou Estadi de Tarragona, where the valencian team will face Atlético de Madrid in a match that will surely not leave anyone indifferent.