Argentine duo Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore claimed a goal apiece as Paris Saint-Germain sealed a 2-1 victory from their first leg last-16 match against Valencia in the Champions League this evening.
The Ligue 1 side set their stool out with a series of attacks and went close to breaking the deadlock with 10 minutes on the clock. Lucas Moura, who was making his Champions League debut, tried his luck from 25 yards out but his curling effort cannoned to safety off the post.
However, just seconds later, the away side were in front. Lavezzi found himself with time and space to the right of the target and he sent a powerful strike beyond the reach of Vicente Guaita in the home goal.
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PSG continued to push forward but it wasn't until the 43rd minute that they were able to add a second goal. Lucas picked out Pastore just inside the area and the midfielder found the net with a shot that crept in underneath Guaita's body.
Clement Chantome thought that he had extended PSG's lead even further after the restart, but his low effort from close range was chalked off for offside.
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Hosts Valencia struggled to create any clear cut chances, with their best falling to substitute Nelson Valdez 12 minutes from time. From six yards out, though, the Paraguayan sent the ball well wide of the target.
They did, however, manage to pull one goal back in stoppage time when Adil Rami volleyed in from six yards out following a set-piece situation.
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There was still time for even more drama in final minute as PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was handed a straight red card for a foul on Andres Guardado, which has ruled him out of the return leg in Paris at the beginning of March.
Liam Apicella
