Valencia came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Racing Santander at El Sardinero on Sunday, earning a point on Javier Aguirre’s debut as head coach. Dani Raba put the visitors ahead after 72 seconds, but Racing responded through Yassir Zabiri and Iván Martín before 18-year-old substitute David Otorbi equalised in the 65th minute.
Raba gave Valencia the lead in the second minute, controlling Justin De Haas’s aerial ball before driving into the area and finishing past former Valencia goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. He did not celebrate the goal out of respect for Racing, the club from his home city.
Zabiri equalised in the 32nd minute, finishing first time from Íñigo Vicente’s pass after a run behind the Valencia defence. Iván Martín then put Racing 2-1 up two minutes after the restart with a strike from outside the area.
Aguirre introduced Otorbi for Filip Ugrinic in the 58th minute, alongside Harvey Elliott for Dani Raba. Seven minutes later, Javi Guerra found Otorbi inside the area, and the teenager poked home from close range for his first senior goal.
The result moved Valencia off the bottom of LaLiga. They remained 19th with five points from eight matches, while Racing stayed 15th with eight points. Valencia had entered the match with only four league goals, making their comeback particularly significant.
The article’s reference to Fede Varela is incorrect. He was not in Valencia’s matchday squad; Valencia’s midfield included Guido Rodríguez, Pepelu, Javi Guerra and Ugrinic, with Hugo Guillamón not named in the starting XI.
Hugo Duro did have Valencia’s best late chance. In the final minute, he failed to convert a clear opportunity that could have won the match, leaving Racing to preserve their four-match unbeaten home run.
Aguirre praised his players’ attitude after the match but acknowledged that Valencia remain under pressure near the relegation zone. The draw was a positive response after a difficult start, but it did not resolve the defensive problems that allowed Racing to overturn an early deficit.
