Flattering scoreline for visitors
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Match Stats
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Rosenborg
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Valencia
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Shots (on Goal)
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3(0)
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5(2)
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Fouls
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5
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6
|
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Corner Kicks
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3
|
3
|
|
Offsides
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0
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5
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Time of Possession
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50%
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50%
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Yellow Cards
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0
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0
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|
Red Cards
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0
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0
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Saves
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4
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1
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Match Information
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Stadium:
Lerkendal , Norway
Attendance: 14,549
Match Time: 14:45 ET
Official(s):
Kevin Blom (Referee)
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Updated: November 27, 2008, 5:02 PM ET
Valencia recorded their first win of the UEFA Cup group stages after seeing off Rosenborg 4-0 in Trondheim.
The 2004 UEFA Cup winners had drawn their opening match in Group G after conceding a late equaliser at home to FC Copenhagen, but the Spanish side made no mistake in the colds of Norway.
Valencia deserved the victory, although the scoreline flattered them slightly with three late goals from Pablo Hernandez, Ruben Baraja and Joaquin Sanchez adding to a fortuitous opener, when Juan Mata's header crashed against the crossbar before hitting Rosenborg goalkeeper Rune Jarstein and going in.
Valencia went into the match having twice lost 2-0 to Rosenborg in last season's Champions League, but Los Che are a different proposition this year under new coach Unai Emery, who has enjoyed a fine start to life at Mestalla.
There was little to separate the two sides early on, but Valencia must have known the gods were on their side when they opened the scoring in the 21st minute.
An Edu cross from the left was headed goalwards by Mata, and although it rebounded back off the crossbar it still ended up in the back of the net after striking the outstretched arm of Jarstein as he was falling backwards.
Mata then had a goal disallowed for offside as Valencia looked to build on their lead, but the visitors had to wait until 15 minutes from time before finally putting more daylight between the two sides.
While Valencia's opening goal owed a great deal to luck, the second from Pablo was all down to individual skill.
There appeared little danger when the young winger picked the ball up on the left touchline, but he quickly made his way into the area before skipping past two Rosenborg defenders and sending a rising shot into the top far corner.
That all but secured the points against a Rosenborg side who created few clear-cut chances during the game, but Valencia ensured there were no late upsets by adding two more goals in the final three minutes.
Baraja netted the third when he picked up Joaquin's corner and drilled a low shot across Jarstein, before Joaquin completed the scoring soon after, slotting home Fernando Morientes' pass following a fine Valencia move to leave Rosenborg with just one point from three games.
Rosenborg 0 - 4 Valencia
