Champions League last 16 second leg, Parc des Princes - Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Lavezzi 66) Valencia 1 (Jonas 55); PSG go through 3-2 on aggregateEzequiel Lavezzi was on target as Paris Saint-Germain edged into the last eight of the Champions League after a nervy 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Parc des Princes. The Argentina international touched home a 66th minute rebound to cancel out Jonas's wonderful 25-yard opener as the French side progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
The visitors had the best chances on the night with Roberto Soldado also going close to forcing extra-time, but it wasn't to be as Carlo Ancelotti's charges held firm to claim a place in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 1995.
David Beckham was an unused substitute on what could prove to be a significant night for the Ligue 1 leaders, who had to cope without suspended star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
PSG came into the game as strong favourites to progress following their 2-1 success at the Mestalla in the first-leg.
However, the absence of the 26-goal Ibrahimovic coupled with the weekend's shock 1-0 Ligue 1 reversal at lowly Reims meant there was reason for optimism for the visitors.
The Spanish side had endured mixed fortunes of their own in recent weeks with just three wins in their last 10 outings but made the better start to a first period that lacked any real quality in the final third.
Los Che dominated possession and came close to an opener on 15 minutes when Soldado engineered a sublime one-two before scuffing a low shot straight at Salvatore Sirigu from the edge of the area.
And it was the Valencia hit-man who was at the heart of the next move of any note just past the half hour mark. The Spain striker broke the offside trap on the right and cut an intelligent ball back to Jonas who completely miscued his effort from 20 yards.
PSG seemed frightened to over-commit as they looked to protect their first-leg advantage and a tame shot from Lucas Moura was the best they could muster.
Valencia continued to probe and Jonas prompted a smart stop from Sirigu on the stroke of half-time.
The Brazilian may have failed to find his shooting boots in the first period but it didn't take him long to light up Paris following the interval as he fired in a goal the game so desperately needed.
The forward cut in from the left and unleashed a stunning 25 yard drive that arrowed beyond Sirigu and into the left-hand corner.
All of a sudden there was a real sense of apprehension inside the Parc des Princes and Valencia continued to look the more likely.
The hosts were struggling to create anything of note but earned a huge slice of luck 24 minutes from time.
Substitute Kevin Gameiro seized possession just inside the visiting half and powered towards goal. The French forward somehow wriggled between two defenders, allowing Lavezzi to get clear and fire a shot at goal that was saved by Vicente Guaita, but the Argentine was on hand to gobble up the rebound.
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It was Lavezzi's fifth goal in his last four Champions League games and it helped to galvanise a PSG side who weathered some late Valencia pressure to progress to the last eight.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain): Worked tirelessly all night and got his reward with a somewhat fortuitous strike to help his team book a place in the last eight.
PLAYER RATINGS
PARIS ST GERMAIN: Sirigu 5, Thiago Silva 6, Alex 7, Maxwell 6, Jallet 5, Matuidi 6, Chantome 5, Pastore 6, Thiago Motta 6, Lucas 6, Lavezzi 7; Subs: Van der Wiel 6, Gameiro 6, Sakho 4.
VALENCIA: Guaita 5, Cissokho 5, Barragan 5, Victor Ruiz 5, Mathieu 6, Albelda 5, Feghouli 6, Parejo 6, Costa 6, Jonas 6, Soldado 6; Subs: Banega 6, Piatti 6, Valdez 5.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
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