Match Report: Last-minute Guedes strike sends VCF into the UEL quarter-finals (1-1)

Valencia CF played versus FC Krasnodar at the Krasnodar Stadium at 6:55 pm kick-off time (CET) in the last 16 second leg in Russia in low weather conditions. Valencia CF had a quiet start in the opening minutes.

 Valencia CF the first chance of the game came in the 17th minute through a Diakhaby header but the keeper collected it. Moments later, Carlos Soler came close to scoring getting on the end of a brilliant Denis Cheryshev low cross into Carlos Soler’s path who was denied by Petrov from close range.    

Santi Mina had another opportunity the 37th minute of the match. The Galician hit the ball at pace but it bounced just wide of the right post. The first half between FC Krasnodar and Valencia CF finished goalless at half time with Valencia CF holding onto their advantage in the tie.   

Valencia CF started the second half with FC Krasnodar asking questions of Valencia CF’s defence and testing Neto through Pereyra. Denis Cheryshev had Valencia CF’ first shot on target but the Krasnodar keeper dealt with easily.

 Rodrigo Moreno had a clear-cut chance for Valencia CF just under the hour mark after an intricate play between Kondogbia who delivered a great pass into Cherysev who put it into the box but Rodrigo Moreno sliced it over the bar.

Magomed Suleymanov made it 1-0 for FC Krasnodar to give  FC Krasnodar a momentarily lead in the tie on the away goals rule in the 85th minute but there was a happy late twist in the tale through a last gasp brilliant strike from Guedes after a magnificent return pass from Kevin Gameiro which the Portuguese knocked it inside the post.   

Valencia CF will meet their opponents in the UEFA Europa League draw which will take place on Friday at 1 pm in Nyon, Switzerland. Valencia CF will be back in action in LaLiga on Sunday at 6.30 pm kick-off time at Mestalla against Getafe in a big game in the race for the European places at the height of Fallas festivities. 

Match Details:

1. FC Krasnodar: Safonov, S. Petrov (Suleymanov, m.75), Spajic, Fjóluson, Ramirez, Olsson, Gazinski, Pereyra (Taranov, m.91), Claesson, Ari (Stotski, m.30) and Wanderson.

1. Valencia CF: Neto, Piccini, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà, Kondogbia, Coquelin, Cheryshev, Carlos Soler (Gameiro, m.87), Santi Mina (Guedes, m. 69) and Rubén Sobrino (Rodrigo, m.57).

Goals: 1-0. M. 85: Suleymanov. 1-1. M. 92: Guedes.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (England). He booked Pereyra and Gazinski for FC Krasnodar, and Kondogbia, Carlos Soler, Gameiro y Guedes for Valencia CF.

Observations:  Second leg of the UEFA Europa League last 16, played on Thursday at 6.55 pm at the Krasnodar Stadium before about 31,000 spectators, in the presence of a hundred Valencia CF fans who celebrated going through to the quarter-finals in the dying moments of the match.