Reviving the Controversy: Mista and Mora Reflect on the Infamous Derby Goal

On Monday, Mista, the former Valencia player, and Mora, the ex-goalkeeper of Levante, revisited one of the most controversial moments in the history of the Valencia derby. This incident dates back to January 8, 2005, when Valencia defeated Levante 2-1, thanks to a disputed goal by Mista. There was no clear evidence proving that the ball had completely crossed the line when the goalkeeper retrieved it.

As the city gears up for a derby following Levante’s promotion, Mista and Mora accepted an invitation from the Valencia Sports Press Association to inaugurate a breakfast series at Novotel Valencia Lavant.

“It was a goal,” Mista said with a smile when asked about the contentious play. He later elaborated, “I headed the ball close in, saw Mora trying to catch it, and thought it was in, so I started to celebrate, hoping for a stroke of luck. If we had technology back then, things would have been different. In the locker room, I was asked if it was a goal, and I said yes, it was a goal.”

In a relaxed atmosphere, Mora recounted the play after reviewing it multiple times on television: “I cleared it, it hit the post and fell along the line. My instinct was to leave immediately upon it going in, but I stayed back to show that I was on the line.”

After a goalless first half, Valencia took the lead through Baraja just ten minutes into the second half, following a fine cross from Rufete. The controversial moment occurred six minutes later when Mista headed the ball towards the goal, and Mora managed to stop it as it began to cross the line. Referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes awarded the goal, likely influenced by his assistant referee, as the view was obstructed by multiple players including the post, Mista, Mora, and Levante defender Fabio Celestini. This made the score 2-0, but a goal by Congo in the 73rd minute (final score 2-1) intensified frustrations after the final whistle.

Former referee Lizondo Cortés, who was also present at the AEPD event at Novotel Valencia Lavant, explained the situation and suggested that a similar scenario could emerge again during the upcoming derby. “Mora was obstructed by two players, and with current camera technology, it would be almost impossible to clarify the situation. Without goal-line technology, it’s nearly impossible to determine if the ball fully crossed the line.”

Mora insisted that his perspective isn’t influenced by his subsequent tenure at Valencia: “Later on, when I played for Valencia, the first question I was asked was, ‘Was it a goal or not?’ I stood by my stance: ‘It was not a goal.'”

“My friends from Caravaca attended that match and celebrated afterward. When they returned from the festivities, they bought a newspaper displaying the image of the goal (local Superdeporte claimed it was a goal with a not-so-clear image). They woke me up at six in the morning to tell me it had gone in. I thought something serious had happened,” Mista recalled.

“At that time, we lacked advancements in technology,” Mora added, noting that even after 20 years, the debate continues. “It was significant for us because had we managed to draw, it could have changed our momentum against a strong team like Valencia.”

Valencia and Levante are set to face each other in a Primera Division derby on Friday, November 21, at Mestalla (21:00 hours), marking more than three years since their last encounter.

In their 32 league matches over 16 seasons in the top division (this being the seventeenth), Valencia holds a favorable record with 15 victories, while Levante has secured eight wins and there have been nine draws. In these 32 games, Valencia has scored 58 goals, including the controversial one by Mista, compared to 36 goals netted by Levante.