Valencia scrape past Monaco to reach Champions League group stages

Valencia survived a late fightback from Monaco to advance into the Champions League group stages despite a 2-1 defeat on the night at Stade Louis II this evening.

Nuno's men progress with a 4-3 aggregate victory following last week's 3-1 win at the Mestalla - a game that saw Sofiane Feghouli add a third and ultimately decisive goal in the dying minutes.

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Mario Pasalic's strike in last Wednesday's defeat at the Mestalla gave Leonardo Jardim's side an ace up the sleeve in the form of an away goal.

However, Alvaro Negredo, who was preferred to Paco Alcacer up front, vindicated coach Nuno by netting after four minutes to remove the away-goal element from the equation as the Spaniards boasted a commanding 4-1 aggregate lead.

In an end-to-end encounter, Monaco soon found themselves level as Andrea Raggi levelled up on the night to restore the hosts' slim hopes of reaching the Champions League proper.

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The pendulum swung back in Valencia's favour and the visitors should have added a second on 24 minutes when the unmarked Dani Parejo headed over from seven yards out.

It proved the last action of what finished as a cagey half as Monaco - beaten by finalists Juventus in the last eight - stared down the barrel of an early exit.

Valencia frustrated the principality club for large sections of the second period as the hosts failed to create the chances needed to reinvigorate their chances.

Out of nowhere, though, Guido Carrilo threw his side a lifeline by turning the ball home after goalkeeper Mathew Ryan failed to deal with a corner as a nervy last 15 minutes awaited the visitors.

Despite huffing and puffing, Monaco failed to blow down a gritty Los Che rearguard from there as Nuno's men held on for what will be their first group-stage appearance since the 2012-13 season.