PSG beats Valencia 2-1 in Champions League





Up until those final few minutes, everything had worked perfectly for PSG, which is trying to establish itself as a European power after spending lavishly on star players since being bought up by wealthy Qatari owners.

While Valencia was allowed to control play for much of the game -- enjoying more than 60 percent of possession -- the French team calmly sat back and defended, before launching counterattacks that always proved dangerous.

PSG's 20-year-old attacking midfielder Lucas Moura was behind many of those counterattacks in the first half, wreaking havoc with his speed along the right wing and possible leaving new signing David Beckham -- who watched on in the stands -- wondering where he can find a spot in the lineup.






Ibrahimovic and Lavezzo both had efforts saved, while substitute Clement Chantome had a goal ruled out for offside -- despite protests from the French team that a Valencia player had last touched the ball.


But the Spanish team finally broke through when Costa's free kick sailed over the PSG defense and Rami was there to knock it into the net. And Valencia's chances of turning things around then increased significantly when Ibrahimovic -- possibly frustrated at conceding a goal -- stamped Guardado's foot in a reckless challenge near Valencia's corner flag, leaving the French team without its top player for the return game.