The second leg of the last-32 Europa League clash between Valencia and Dynamo Kiev took place at the Mestalla this evening.
The Spanish side entered the match as the strong favourites to advance following 2-0 win in the first leg last week.
Both teams had chances to add to the scoring during an open contest, but neither could find the back of the net as it finished goalless on the night, with Valencia advancing on aggregate.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Europa League last-32 coverage continues this evening as Valencia welcome Dynamo Kiev for the second leg. As mentioned, the home side will enter the match as the favourites after goals from Eduardo Vargas and Sofiane Feghouli handed them a 2-0 win in the first leg in Cyprus last Thursday.
Valencia will have revenge on their minds this evening after exiting the competition to Dynamo at the same stage of the 2008/09 season. Unai Emery's Valencia side secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Kiev that particular campaign, but a 2-2 draw at the Mestalla saw the Ukrainian outfit advance on away goals.
Valencia, who are yet to lose in 90 minutes to Ukrainian opposition, have won just one of their last five European home matches, losing twice in the process. However, Dynamo are without a win in 13 games against Spanish opposition since they famously beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the 1998/99 Champions League.
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Alves; Pereira, Costa, Mathieu, Bernat; Parejo, Michel, Keita; Fede, Alcacer, Vargas
DYNAMO: Rybka; Silva, Dragovic, Makarenko, Khacheridi; Veloso, Vukojevic; Yarmolenko, Haruna, Lens; Ideye
So there we have it. No Jonas in the Valencia squad this evening, with Eduardo Vargas leading the line. There are also starts for Paco Alcacer and Fede Cartabia, while Seydou Keita is selected in midfield. Dynamo, meanwhile, welcome back Ukraine international Yarmolenko. The attacker is joined in the final third by Lens and Ideye, but Belhanda is named among the subs. Two attacking teams on display this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial this evening. Right, the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
Bright start from the away side as Haruna immediately finds some space outside the box before striking towards goal, but his effort is deflected high of the crossbar my Mathieu. The resulting corner is delivered by Yarmolenko, but this time it is Ricardo Costa that clears, before releasing Fede on the counter attack.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening - far from it in fact - but there is a strong atmosphere. Both sides have started positively in the opening four minutes at the Mestalla. Dynamo force a free kick outside the box when Fede fells Veloso, but the resulting set piece from Yarmolenko is cleared by Bernat. The opening four minutes of this Europa League contest have just flown past.
Dynamo's positive start continues with the likes of Haruna, Lens, Ideye and Veloso seeing plenty of the ball in the Valencia half. A loose pass from the latter allows Valencia to break with numbers, but Keita runs out of options in the final third. This has all the makings of a real classic at the Mestalla.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the early exchanges this evening, but the tempo remains high. One goal for Valencia would leave Dynamo needing to score three times. A bright run from Pereira threatens Dynamo, but the Valencia right-back runs it out of play at the final moment. Still goalless on the night with nine minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the away side as Ideye threatens to meet a through pass from Lens, but Alves is out to collect at the vital moment. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Valencia break with Fede, but a similar situation occurs with Rybka first to the ball ahead of Alcacer. Moments later, Dynamo force a free kick in an advanced area as Bernat dives into Haruna.
The resulting free kick is taken by Veloso, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. It has been a positive start from the Ukrainian outfit, who need to score at least twice this evening if they are to advance into the last 16 of the competition. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Bernat delivers a free kick into the Dynamo box towards Keita, but the Dynamo goalkeeper is on hand to claim. Still no real opportunities for either side despite a number of positive moments in and around the box.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment with both sides committing to a number of strong challenges, which is creating a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium. Dynamo have been the more progressive in the final third, but Costa and Mathieu have both been impressive in defensive areas.
Half-chance for the away side as Dragovic finds some space down the right before delivering towards Ideye, but the Nigerian forward cannot make contact at the vital moment. The pressure continues with Lens, but the attacker cannot turn away from Parejo. One-way traffic in the last few moments as Dynamo continue to press.
CLOSE! Valencia's first real chance arrives after 22 minutes as Parejo finds a pocket of space outside the box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Much better movement in the final third from the hosts.
The home supporters have been quietened in the last few moments as the away side continue to dominate possession of the ball. Plenty of threatening moments from Dynamo, but Alves has not really been tested. Just a reminder that the only score that would take this tie into extra-time is a 2-0 Dynamo win at 90 minutes.
The free kick count continues to rise as Lens picks up a yellow card for diving into a late challenge with Fede, who ends up in a heap on the floor. In truth, a booking has been coming. The contact leaves Fede on the floor holding his right leg, but it does appear that the Spaniard will be fit to continue the match.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Vargas meets a free kick from Parejo, but his header is into the side netting. It should be 1-0 on the night and probably tie over.
Fede becomes the latest name to enter the book after the Valencia winger fells Vukojevic in the middle of the park. The match has become extremely untidy in the last 10 minutes with the referee forced to halt the play on a number of occasions. Valencia will not mind too much, however, with their two-goal lead still in tact.
GOAL DISALLOWED! The home supporters erupt with delight as Alcacer turns home from close range, but the offside flag had been raised, albeit extremely late. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the Mestalla. The opening 33 minutes have flown past.
Another half-chance for the home side as Alcacer finds some space outside the box before playing in Fede, but his low effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Much better from Valencia in the last few moments with Dynamo struggling for possession of the ball. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Opportunity for Dynamo to threaten from a free kick as Costa fells Lens outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Veloso, but Costa is on hand to clear with a towering header. Valencia break down the other end with the ever-involved Fede, but his cross is straight into the arms of Rybka.
The free kick count continues to rise as Yarmolenko forces a set piece down the left from Pareira. Veloso is once more on duty, but Alves comes to collect. Not too much in terms of clear opportunities this evening, especially for the away side, despite a host of pressure. Still goalless on the night at the Mestalla.
Half-chance for the away side as Ideye finds some space outside the box before striking one towards the top corner, but it deflects high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered by Veloso, but once more Mathieu is on hand to clear. Strong pressure from the visitors with 43 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead in the first minute of additional time as Fede finds some space outside the box, but his powerful effort is straight at Rybka.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-0 Dynamo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. As it stands, Valencia would advance into the next round courtesy of a 2-0 aggregate win. Both have had their moments in an open first 45 minutes, but clear opportunities have been at a premium.
STATISTICS: The away side have had more of the ball with 58%, but Valencia have had more attempts on goal with four to Dynamo's three. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing two yellow cards. In truth, it could and probably should have been more.
BENCH WATCH: The home side are without their talisman Jonas this evening, but they have attacking options on their bench in the shape of Molina, Ruiz and Ibanez. Dynamo, meanwhile, have the likes of Bezus, Garmash, Gusev and Mbokani in their 18-man squad this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Just a reminder that Dynamo need to score at least twice in the second half to stand a chance of making the next round. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive. The home side get the action underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect alterations will be made if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Wonderful noise inside the stadium at the moment with both sets of supporters letting their voices be heard.
Bright start to the second period from the home side as Fede drives down the left before finding Bernat, but the Spaniard cannot move away from the challenge of Silva. The away side are down the other end with Yarmolenko moments later, but the Ukrainian international's cross is straight into the arms of Diego Alves.
Dynamo have a free kick in a dangerous position as Yarmolenko is felled on the edge of the box by Parejo, who left out a lazy leg. The resulting set piece is taken by Yarmolenko, but his effort is straight into the wall. Moments later, Valencia have a free kick of their own as Keita is felled by Haruna.
Half-chance for the away side as Ideye collects a through pass from Lens before driving into the box, but Mathieu is across to clear at the vital moment. The end-to-end period of the match continues a free kick down the other end, but his delivery is straight into the arms of goalkeeper. Moments later, Alcacer turns a Michel cross just wide of the post.
Slight problem for Valencia as their skipper Costa leaves the field, but it does appear that he will be fit to continue. Dynamo look to make use of the man advantage as Lens slides a through pass towards Haruna, but the Nigerian cannot collect under pressure from Mathieu, who clears his lines with no frills.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Fede drives down the right before advancing into the box and delivering a cross towards the far post, but Vargas cannot make proper contact. Still goalless on the night with little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Just a reminder that Dynamo must score twice this evening or they will exit the competition. A 2-0 win for the away side would take this match into extra time. It is Valencia on the attack, however, as Keita drives to the edge of the box before finding Alcacer, whose low cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Alcacer attempts to divert a Pereira volley into the back of the net, but it just moves high of the crossbar. That would have been tie over with little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
The away side make their first change of the match as Bezuz replaces Haruna. Moments later, Valencia look to their bench as Senderos replaces Costa. Senderos is immediately involved as he meets a free kick from Parejo, but his effort is blocked by Lens. Still 0-0 on the night at the Mestalla.
Not too much to report in terms of clear opportunities in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. Fede remains the main danger for Valencia as he continues to weave inside the area, but the Dynamo back four have been impressive.
The away side make their second change of the match as Mbokani enters the field in place of Ideye, who has struggled to influence proceedings in the second period. Little over 20 minutes for the away side to score twice in the Mestalla. Chances have been at a premium since the half-time interval that is for certain.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure from either side as the clock continues to tick on at the Mestalla. Mbokani has been involved for the away team since entering the field, but both of his long-range efforts have been blocked. As it stands, Valencia will advance into the last 16 2-0 on aggregate.
Valencia look to their bench once more as Barragan enters the field in place of Michel. Possession football for the home side in the last couple of minutes as Dynamo become more and more desperate in the final third. There will come a moment when they simply have to start committing four or five forward in each attack.
Much better from the away side in the last couple of moments as Yarmolenko embarks on a mazy run before winning a corner. Danilo rises highest inside the box, but his header is wide of the target. Moments later, Dynamo make their third and final change of the evening as Gusev replaces Lens. All the cards have been played by Blokhin.
Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as the home supporters make their voices heard. Their side is almost there after what has been a battle against Dynamo. However, you just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. One for the visitors at this stage would make it a grandstand finish.
Half-chance for the home side as Parejo finds some space down the right before driving a low cross into the box. Danilo makes the clearance, but it falls to Fede, whose effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. It appears that Valencia are preparing to make their third and final change with Portu imminent.
Indeed the change is made as Portu enters the field in place of Fede, who has been bright this evening. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments as Valencia continue to keep the ball. Time is just starting to run out for the visitors, who need two goals to take this into extra-time.
Another set piece is wasted by the away side as Yarmolenko delivers straight into the arms of Alves. That one moment sums up the night for Dynamo, who have huffed and puffed without ever really threatening to turn this tie around. Little under five minutes of normal time remaining at the Mestalla. Is there to be late drama?
Half-chance for the away side as Bezus finds some space on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Alves. Dynamo keep the pressure on with a series of deep crosses, but it is easy pickings for Valencia's Brazilian goalkeeper. The home side are almost there with 89 minutes on the clock.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Not too much to report as another Dynamo attack breaks down, which allows Valencia to take control of the ball once more. Unless there is a minor miracle, Valencia are into the next round of the Europa League.
Wonderful noise inside the stadium as Valencia have a half-chance to score their fourth. Centre-back Mathieu drives forward from defence before combining with Portu, but his effort is into the arms of Rybka. That should be just about that for this one.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 0-0 Dynamo Kiev
So there we have it. Valencia advance into the next round of the Europa League courtesy of a 2-0 aggregate win over Dynamo Kiev. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
