PSG see off Valencia
Paris St Germain slugged rather than sashayed their way through to the Champions League quarter-finals after drawing 1-1 with Valencia at the Parc des Princes to claim a 3-2 aggregate victory.
It took the jolt of a fine Valencia goal from Jonas early in the second half to rouse the home side, and Ezequiel Lavezzi's equaliser secured a draw on the night and a narrow aggregate win.
It was Lavezzi's second goal of the tie after he and Javier Pastore scored in Spain three weeks ago. PSG were in full control at the Mestalla until a dramatic injury-time period saw Adil Rami pull a goal back and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off, making this second-leg clash increasingly complicated on two counts.
Ibrahimovic was given a two-match ban by UEFA, and the Sweden striker was certainly missed on the field for this return leg as he watched from the stands. Without him, the home side were toothless in the first half.
There was no room in the starting XI for David Beckham, squeezed out of central midfield by Thiago Motta and Blaise Matuidi. The former England captain was primed on the bench but stayed there.
Salvatore Sirigu palmed away a stinging 20-yard drive from Jonas just before the break, but it was a ball he might have caught. From the corner that followed, Costa struck the ball so sweetly it was missed by everyone in blue and red, and also his team-mates as it swerved wide of the far post.
Ever Banega stepped out in place of David Albelda for the second half, an attacking move by Valencia and Jonas made the breakthrough in the 55th minute with a crashing 25-yard drive inside the left post.
Valencia had more zip about their game, but PSG were level 11 minutes later though and it was Lavezzi who woke the home crowd from an understandable stupor. Kevin Gameiro, on in place of Thiago Motta, bustled through a couple of challenges before the ball rolled kindly for his team-mate.
Vicente Guaita repelled Lavezzi's 15-yard blast but could then do nothing to prevent him tucking the ball over the line with his knee.
Valencia poured pressure on the Paris goal in the closing minutes but they struggled to get in behind as their campaign reached its end.
