Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq played a role in one of the final day's most eye-catching results, as Valencia defeated Barcelona 3-1 at Mestalla to close out the La Liga season with a statement victory.

Sadiq came off the bench in the 80th minute, replacing Hugo Duro, and made a positive impression in the closing stages. The 28-year-old rounded off a productive campaign for Valencia, recording 4 goals and 4 assists in 25 appearances across the season.

How the match unfolded

The opening half offered little in the way of goals, with both sides sharing possession evenly and neither able to create a decisive chance. The contest burst to life after the interval, however, when Barcelona made defensive alterations that opened up space for the hosts to exploit.

Barcelona drew first blood when Robert Lewandowski put the visitors ahead in the 61st minute, silencing the home crowd at Mestalla. Valencia responded swiftly — Guerra levelled the score in the 66th minute with a composed finish, before Rioja turned the tie in Valencia's favour with a 71st-minute strike to make it 2-1.

Any hopes Barcelona harboured of a comeback were extinguished deep into added time, when Rodriguez's 97th-minute goal wrapped up a commanding 3-1 win. Valencia held firm defensively throughout, denying Barcelona even a consolation effort in the closing stages.

Sadiq's return to Mestalla

The result underlined the importance of Sadiq's permanent arrival at the club. The Nigerian international, who had previously impressed on loan at Mestalla — scoring 6 goals in 19 appearances — sealed a full transfer from Real Sociedad in January 2026, signing a contract through to June 2028.

Sadiq made no secret of his delight at completing the move, having harboured ambitions of a return throughout the preceding summer.