Nigeria, April 22 -- Super Eagles Sadiq Umar stepped up when it mattered, rescuing a vital point for Valencia in a tense 1-1 draw against Mallorca on Tuesday night.

Heading into the Week 32 La Liga fixture, both sides were hovering just above the relegation zone. The equation was simple. Avoid defeat, or risk being dragged deeper into trouble.

Manager Carlos Corberan trusted Sadiq from the start, handing him a place in the XI despite a goal drought stretching back to 15 February.

The first half belonged largely to Mallorca as Valencia struggled to impose themselves, while the hosts created the better chances without converting.

Sadiq, eager to rediscover his scoring touch, remained quiet, isolated and unable to influence the game in a...