Valencia's Rodrigo rips stunner to tie with Atletico Madrid

Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Valencia forward Rodrigo used a terrific touch and powerful rip to net the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in La Liga play.

He scored in the 56th minute of the matchup Monday at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain. Atletico led 1-0 after getting a first-half goal from Angel Correa.

That score came in the 26th minute when French star Antoine Griezmann picked out Correa inside the box. Correa received the ball with his back toward the goal. He brought in the touch and turned, letting the ball roll to his right foot, before striking it in a narrow space and placing it in the near post netting past Valencia keeper Neto.

But Rodrigo showed remarkable balance and ability during the equalizer. That score came when Valencia midfielder Daniel Wass volleyed a long cross toward the far post from the left side of the box. He dropped the pass right on Rodrigo's chest. Rodrigo used the chest trap to bounce the ball around a defender, before regaining possession about six yards from the net. He let the ball bounce on the pitch once before blasting a shot into the top of the net with his left boot.

"Seeing the team play this way gives me confidence ahead of the start of the season," Valencia manager Marcelino Garcia told reporters.

Atletico plays Rayo Vallecano at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Valencia has another La Liga test against Espanyol at 12:15 p.m. Sunday at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.