If the match ended now, Schalke and Valencia would be doing to penalty kicks. But it's only half time at the Veltins-Arena, where the Royal Blues have pulled back an early Valencia opener, sending the sides into intermission tied 1-1. The 2-2 aggregate score will see the teams in a penalty shootout, should it hold for the next 75 minute.
Schalke 04 Vs. Valencia CF: Sides On Track For Kicks After 1-1 First Half
Valencia opened the scoring int he 18th minute when a cross from the left side of the penalty area was driving into Ricardo Costa's head. The Portuguese defender leaned back to redirect the ball onto Manuel Neuer's goal. For the second match in a row, Valencia had struck first.
Schalke equalize late in the half through Peruvian attacker Jefferson Farfán. The right winger put his shot high into goalkeeper Vicenta Guaita’s net, beating him at his near post with a ball driving into the upper 90. Coming five minutes before half, the goal ended Valencia’s 23 minutes in the lead but also put the Royal Blues in a dangerous position.
With the next Valencia goal, Los Che will hold the away goals tiebreaker, Schalke having scored once in Valencia. That would force the Blues to win, outscoring Valencia in the second half.
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