Valencia come from behind twice to advance, Roma held

الأربعاء، 01 نوفمبر 2006 - 00:19

كتب : Ahmad Saied

Ayala celebrating Valencia's second goal

Valencia came from behind twice to tie Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 on Tuesday and book their ticket to the first knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Brazilians Jadson and Fernandinho scored for the hosts while Fernando Morientes and Argentina's defender Roberto Ayala notched goals for Valencia.

The draw raised Valencia's tally to ten points in first spot of Group D and put them three points clear off second-place Roma who tied Olympiakos 1-1 on the same day.

The Greeks are in third spot with two points, leading rooted Shakhtar on goal difference.

Jadson didn't consume much time as he put the Ukrainians ahead as early as the second minute when he curled a brilliant free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net.

In the 18th minute, Valencia star David Villa stepped up to arrow a low free-kick inside the area only for Morientes' first touch to steer the ball into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, Fernandinho restored the lead when he unleashed a long-range shot that settled home despite a touch from Santiago Canizares.

But Ayala secured the Mediterranean club's place in the next phase when he connected with Emiliano Moretti's nodded pass inside the box to head the equalizer home.

In Italy, Roma captain Francesco Totti made up for a squandered penalty-kick when he scored to give his side a 1-1 draw with Olympiakos.

Brazilian defender Julio Cesar stunned the home crowd in the 19th minute, heading a Rivaldo corner-kick past Roma keeper Alexander Doni.

Cesar brought down Taddei inside the box in the 33rd minute but Italy playmaker Totti failed to level the score from the spot as his high shot was parried by keeper Nikopolidis.

But Totti had yet to say his word six minutes after the hour mark when he controlled Taddei's pass and squeezed a low strike into the far angle.

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