MADRID — In an impressive performance, Umar Sadiq made his mark as a starter, scoring during his debut for Valencia in their 2-0 victory against Ourense, a team from the third division, in the Copa del Rey’s round of 16 on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Nigerian forward netted his team’s second goal in the 78th minute of the match. Displaying agility and skill, Sadiq maneuvered past two defenders before delivering a powerful shot that found the top corner of the net. Valencia initially took the lead with an own goal from defender Francisco Carmona in the 50th minute, setting the stage for their win.

Prior to this match, Sadiq had made a couple of appearances for Valencia since joining the team on loan from Real Sociedad earlier this season, both of which were as a substitute.

Currently, Valencia is struggling in the Spanish league, sitting at the bottom of the standings at the halfway point of the season. However, their recent success in the Copa del Rey has made them the first club to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Looking ahead, other matches in the Copa del Rey include Barcelona hosting Real Betis and Atletico Madrid traveling to face Elche, a second-division team, on Wednesday. Additionally, defending champions Athletic Bilbao will compete against Osasuna, while Real Madrid will take on Celta Vigo on Thursday.