Valencia 4-3 Racing Santander: Roberto Soldado hits stunning hat-trick to earn hosts epic victory on opening weekend

Hector Cuper's return to La Liga was ruined by his former club as a hat-trick from Roberto Soldado, including two goals in the dying minutes, saw Valencia earn a thrilling 4-3 victory over Racing Santander on the first day of the new season at the Mestalla. 

The Argentine manager, who previously led the hosts to two consecutive appearances in the Champions League final at the turn of the millennium, saw an own goal and strikes from Lautaro Acosta and Adrian Gonzalez give his side the advantage, but the visitors could not hold on as Unai Emery's men took all three points. 

Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game

Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets!

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25

Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200

Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20!

Not even a minute into the contest, Valencia's Pablo Hernandez hit a low, powerful shot from the top of the box that Antonio Martinez could not handle, allowing Soldado to slot home the opener from a metre out. 

With the early lead, Soldado, the side's top scorer from a year ago levelled the scoreline minutes later off a corner kick from Kennedy, heading the ball past Victor Guaita and into his own net from a narrow angle.

With the game appearing to settle down after an eventful beginning, the visitors took the lead as Acosta slid home a low ball from in front of goal after Manuel Arana found the attacker on the far side of the box on the break.

The striker settled the ball and put it home as Arana's pass rolled slowly by the feet of two Valencia defenders, finding the Argentine to take the lead.

The home side could not level before the break, failing to test the Racing defence.

The visitors struck first in the second 45 minutes as Gonzalez finished from in the front of the net after Mehmet Topal's failed sliding clearance 10 minutes in. 

With Cuper's men holding a two-goal advantage, Valencia responded two minutes later as Adil Rami flicked a header inside the far post from, much to the delight of the home supporters.

As the home side were starting defeat in the face, Soldado struck in the 88th minute to seemingly earn his side an eventful point.

But the drama was not over there, and in the first minute of stoppage time the former Real Madrid striker saw his side steal three points at the death, as Jordi Alba found Soldado at the far post with a low ball and he made no mistake to net the fourth and decisive goal.  

Valencia, who will certainly look to clean up their defensive mistakes in the coming days, will host Atletico Madrid on September 11 in their next league match. Racing face Levante on the same day.