Valencia’s Helder Postiga headed an equaliser in the final minute of added time to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to King’s Cup holders Atletico Madrid in an intense and entertaining last 16, first leg tie on Tuesday.
After Raul Garcia had nodded the visitors ahead after 72 minutes, Postiga finally beat inspired keeper Thibaut Courtois, with the Portugal forward on hand to send a mis-hit Sofiane Feghouli cross into the net from close range in the 93rd.
In new coach Juan Antonio Pizzi’s second game in charge, Valencia put on an intense performance at the Mestalla and dominated possession but fell behind when a fluffed clearance by keeper Vicente Guaita fell to midfielder Garcia.
Garcia also had Atletico’s best chance of the first half but his rising effort was well saved by Guaita, while Valencia’s Juan Bernat drew a fine save from the inspired Courtois with a low drive seven minutes after the break.
Courtois made three more brilliant saves as Valencia pressed for an equaliser.
The Belgium international, on loan from Chelsea, then denied Pablo Piatti in the 82nd before producing possibly his best stop of the night a minute later from Feghouli’s close-range blast.
It looked as if Diego Simeone’s Atletico side, who are level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, would hold on to their lead ahead of the second leg at the Calderon in a week’s time but Postiga struck in the final action of the game.