Valencia 4-3 Racing Santander: Soldado hat-trick earns Los Che three points at the death

Hector Cuper's return to La Liga was spoiled 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 on the first day of the new season at the Mestalla. 

The Argentine manager, who led Los Che 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. 

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 mete out. 

With the early lead, the side's top scorer from a year ago leveled 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 ten minutes in. 

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

Goals by Soldado in the 88th minute and the 91st saw his side steal three points at the death, as Jordi Alba found the striker at the far post with a low ball for the fourth and decisive goal.  

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