PENALTY SHOUT FOR GENT IN THE LAST MINUTE! Danilo sends a leg round and claws the ball away from the onrushing Saief inside the box! It looked like a potential spotkick but the referee makes the correct decision in waving play on!
90'
José Gayà gets yellow.
A generous four minutes of added time have been allocated by the referee so that should give Gent one last boost of adrenaline before the final whistle as they attempt to find that elusive equaliser. They certainly don't deserve to be on the losing side, but footy isn't always fair!
88'
Joao Cancelo is a lucky boy here as the referee fails to brandish a second yellow card to the Valencia right-back as he comes right through the back of Simon a few yards in from the touchline. That was definitely a second bookable offence but the ref lets him off the hook.
86'
M. Simon gets yellow.
Depoitre has displayed an impressive turn of pace at times considering the physicality usually associated with his play. On this occasion he drives ahead down the right wing at pace before looking to cut inside into the box, only to be pick pocketed of possession by the retreating Gaya.
84'
M. Simon enters the game and replaces T. Matton.
First change of the match from Gent now and it will see the pacey attacker, Moses Simon, come on to replace Matton, who hasn't offered too much apart from that strike on goal a couple of minutes ago that was well saved by Domenech.
82'
Danilo Barbosa enters the game and replaces Paco Alcácer.
Under 10 minutes remaining now and the formula of this game has changed dramatically since Valencia reclaimed the lead, as the manner and fortuitous nature of the goal has seemingly shell-shocked Gent, who were looking confident in possession up until conceding.
80'
SAVE FROM DOMENECH! Santos lackadaisically attempts to play out from the back and Matton takes advantage to seize possession and rifle a strike at the far corner, only to be denied by the diving Valencia keeper! A strong right arm for that stop!
78'
Another great save from Sels! Rodrigo, who has looked bright since coming off the bench, manages to get in behind the Gent defence before charging forward and attempting to dink the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper, who once again makes himself big to make the solid stop!
76'
Asare sends another decent long ball up towards the Valencia defence and Matton takes down before laying into the path of Depoitre, but the big Belgian's attempted return pass is slack which allows Mustafi to step in before playing into midfield.
74'
Gent need to do exactly what they did in the first half when they conceded and that is respond with pace and intensity going forward. They have been on top since the break, but I mentioned that they would regret it if they did not capitalise, which they didn't.
Minute
Description
72'
S. Mitrović is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR VALENCIA! LOS CHE FORTUITOUSLY TAKE THE LEAD! Joao Cancelo pops up at the back post and stands a teasing cross to the back post, which bounces off the top of the bar! Piatti smashes the rebound across goal and it cannons off the unfortunate Mitrovic before nestling in the corner! Desperately unlucky for Gent! Two-one!
70'
T. Foket gets yellow.
Twenty minutes remaining in this Group H clash now and at this point it is not looking particularly rosy for Valencia, who are at risk is dropping points against the supposed minnows of the standings. Still plenty of time for them to get their act together, though.
68'
Rodrigo enters the game and replaces Dani Parejo.
Second substitution of the match from Espirito Santo and it is a positive one as he introduces Rodrigo in place of the slightly disappointing Parejo, who receives a less than warm greeting from his own fans as he departs the pitch. Some unhappy people in the home crowd it would seem!
66'
K. Saief gets yellow.
Valencia just look completely off the pace and seem almost sluggish when attempting to close down the ball, with Gent looking much fitter and full of a high tempo. The Belgian side will take nothing for granted though, and they need to capitalise on their dominance or risk going home empty handed.
64'
The Mestalla faithful must be asking themselves who the home team is at the moment, as Gent have been dominant in controlling the game since the break, with Kums in particular appearing to boss those central areas. Valencia obviously have the more accomplished players, but they aren't showing it at the moment!
62'
Piatti almost makes an immediate impact coming off the bench as he latches on to yet another useful cross into the box from Feghouli. However, it looks like he hasn't quite found his feet on the pitch yet as he blazes over an attempt from 12 yards. We'll let him off with that one considering he has only been involved for 30 seconds!
61'
First change of the match now and no surprises that it comes from Valencia, who introduce Pablo Piatti in place of Santa Mina, who was partly at fault for the equalising goal when he failed to track the run of Foket.
60'
P. Piatti enters the game and replaces Santi Mina.
59'
Another superb tackle from this sturdy Gent defence! Feghouli gets down the right wing and then sends a bouncing cross reversed into the centre of the box. Alcacer and Parejo both look to get on the end of it and smash a strike on goal, but Neilsen is there to make the block!
57'
Valencia just do not seem like they can string together any kind of meaningful attack at the moment as they are looking particularly shaky in possession. Javi Fuego is the latest guilty party as he looks to find Santi Mina with a long diagonal, only for his pass to disappointing float out for a throw-in.
55'
João Cancelo gets yellow.
Gent's impressive start to the second half has seen some frustration creep into the ranks of Valencia, who are looking at risk of losing some discipline. Joao Cancelo is the latest player to go into the book and it is for a late challenge on Asare.
53'
When the line-ups and formations were announced before the match, many probably would have expected Gent to shut up shop from the get-go and perhaps play for the draw, but it has to be said that they look just as eager to claim the lead as their Spanish opponents.
51'
Foket gets into an advanced position down the right wing once again and sends a deep cross to the back post. Mustafi rises high to stretch his neck and make the important clearance, as Depoitre was sniffing around looking for any rebounds.
49'
As time goes on, the more the pressure will build on Valencia to claim all three points here, and, subsequently, the more the pressure will build on Nuno Espirito Santo. The Portuguese boss has already come under scrutiny for Los Che's poor start to the season, and nothing less than a win here will not do well in silencing the critics.
47'
All to play for in this second period then, but Valencia will probably have benefited from that half-time break more than Gent as the visitors were just looking likely to perhaps take an unlikely lead after their impressive equaliser.
46'
Santi Mina gets yellow.
We are back under way at the Mestalla!
44'
Really decent spell for Gent at the moment and they will be looking to capitalise on this ascendancy in order to perhaps grab a lead before the break, which they probably don't want to come at this point. Valencia, meanwhile, need to reclaim their composure.
42'
After that equaliser, there is only one team who looks like taking the lead at the moment, and that team is Gent! The visitors have confidence flowing through their veins now and the celebration for that goal shows that they have quite the team spirit in their ranks! Is an upset on the cards tonight?
40'
T. Foket has scored a goal for Gent! Assist by Renato Neto.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLL FOR GENT! THE BELGIAN SIDE EQUALISE! Asare clips a lovely pass to the right channel for Foket, and seemingly from nowhere, the wing-back fires a stunning left-footed strike into the roof of the net past Domenech! One-one!
37'
It has to be said that Gent boss, Vanhaezebrouck, is quite the character on the touchline. The, shall we say, larger than life head coach is certainly not giving the fourth official an easy time in the technical area, whilst also continuously gesturing to his players in dramatic fashion.
35'
Ten minutes to go at the Mestalla and it has been a highly entertaining clash up until this point, with Valencia perhaps just shading it on chances created plus that close range finish from Feghouli. Gent growing in confidence as the game goes on, though!
33'
Joao Cancelo, who has been excellent so far in providing plenty of width whilst hugging the right touchline, gets into an advanced position again and curls a decent cross to the front post, looking for Alcacer, but the Los Che No.9 can't get a decent connection on an attempted flick, resulting in a Gent goal kick.
31'
There definitely is more goals in this match as both sides are looking capable of finding the net with their high-tempo attacking play. Valencia, perhaps predictably, are dominating possession but Gent are looking pretty useful on the counter, and also have the ability to send high balls into the box for Depoitre.
29'
Milicevic takes charge of a free kick down the right channel and sends a wicked delivery to the back post which is begging to be sent home from close range. Neilsen strives to get on the end of it but it just evades him before flashing wide for the goal kick! Where was the Valencia marking for that set-piece?
27'
Gent are defending for their lives at the moment! Feghouli finds Parejo at the back post with a lovely slid pass, who then teases a low cross along the six-yard box for Alcacer! The centre-forward looks poised for the tap-in, but is denied by a superb tackle from Neilsen, who manages to clear from a yard out!
25'
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SAVE FROM SELS! Andre Gomes drives through the middle and finds a pocket of space before rifling a strike towards the bottom corner, which is saved! Parejo follows it up and attempts to smash the rebound into the seemingly empty net, but the Gent goalkeeper somehow manages to get up to make the stop on the line! Terrific play!
23'
Parejo shakes off the attentions of Kums inside the centre circle and then glides across the pitch before finding Gaya with a beautiful diagonal pass to the left flank. The Valencia left-back then typically drives towards the byline, looking to get the cross in, but Foket forces him back.
22'
N. Asare gets yellow.
21'
Second booking of the match and again is a deserved one, this time for a Gent player. Asare is the guilty party on this occasion as he scrapes his studs right down the back of Feghouli's leg, in what looks a very painful challenge. Initially the referee played the advantage but has brought play back now to issue the yellow.
19'
Gent can certainly take heart from the fact that Depoitre seemingly has the physical edge over the two Valencia centre-backs, as two or three times now the Belgian has used his imposing frame to hold the ball up in decent areas. He'll need support up there, though.
18'
Dani Parejo gets yellow.
17'
We have our first booking of the match now and it is a deserved one for Parejo as the former Getafe man scythes down Milicevic as Gent attempted to catalyse a counterattack down the right flank. The Valencia captain will need to watch himself out there now.
15'
S. Féghouli has scored a goal for Valencia! Assist by Paco Alcácer.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL FOR VALENCIA! LOS CHE TAKE THE LEAD! Joao Cancelo finds himself in acres of space down the right wing and teases a lovely cross to the front post, which is flicked on by Alcacer! Feghouli then runs in behind to scramble over the line to make it 1-0!
14'
WHAT A CHANCE FOR MUSTAFI! The resulting corner from the Alcacer strike is swung deep into the area and the German rises above everyone to bullet a header towards goal, but his attempt clears the crossbar by at least a yard! He was completely unmarked!
13'
We get our first real glimpse of Alcacer as the Spain international collects the ball 20 yards out before spinning and continually shifting, looking to get the strike away. He eventually does so, but Neilsen is on hand to deflect behind for a corner kick.
11'
First save of the match from Sels! Santi Mina is involved in the action again as he receives the ball in a similar position to his previous opportunity. The 19-year-old charges down on goal but can't find a shot past the onrushing Gent keeper, who proactively comes off his line to make the block.
9'
Santi Mina, who has recently signed from Celta Vigo, receives the ball deep down the left channel and shifts cleverly on to his right foot to open up the space, but again the final strike on goal isn't there for Los Che as possession flies into the stand.
7'
Well Gent are certainly not showing any fear here and look more than up for this game from the get-go. Yes, the five-man backline is being employed but the wing-backs are showing decent attacking ambition to get forward when the opportunity comes up. Promises to be an end-to-end affair here!
5'
Foket gets himself into a dodgy situation near his own byline and then poorly gives the ball away to Gaya, who drives inside before teeing up Andre Gomes on the edge of the area, but the resulting strike on goal from the midfield man is slashed high and wide.
4'
Depoitre latches on to a deep cross to the back post and takes down with an assured touch before swiveling to get the shot away, but Joao Cancelo is on hand to make the important interception before seeing Valencia on their way up the pitch.
2'
I hypothesised before the match that Gent may be undertaking a 3-4-3 formation but with the game having recently got underway it appears they are going with more of a five-man defence, with Foket and Saief being deployed as defensive wing-backs.
1'
WE ARE UNDER WAY AT THE MESTALLA!
Good evening football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the UEFA Champions League Group H clash between Valencia and Gent from the Mestalla!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and it is my pleasure to take you through the action.
The two teams involved in this Group H fixture this evening are facing each other for only the second time in competitive European action. Their only previous meeting came back in 2005 in an Intertoto Cup clash in which the Spanish Primera Division outfit ran out 2-0 aggregate winners to proceed to the next round. Indeed, the last team from Belgium to claim a win at the Mestalla was Gent's rivals, Anderlecht, who won 2-1 in the 1983 UEFA Cup quarter-final.
Domestically, Valencia and Gent have had contrasting starts to their league campaigns. Los Che are currently positioned 8th in La Liga with 12 points recorded from their opening eight matches, but are coming off the back of a buoyant 3-0 win against Malaga, in which a goal each from Andre Gomes and Dani Parejo, as well as an own-goal from Charles, sealed the three points at the weekend. The Belgian outfit are fairing better than their Champions League counterparts on their own turf and sit second in the Belgian Jupiler League.
Hein Vanhaezebrouck's charges may be the underdogs in Group H, but they have certainly been turning on the style this season, with the loss against Zenit in the last match proving to be their only defeat of the campaign so far in 15 competitive matches. The Champions League is, of course, a much different animal than the Belgian Jupiler League, but the confidence from their recent performances is certainly cause for optimism.
Europe's premier club competition is now well and truly underway with the opening two fixtures came and gone, and Group H is already starting to take shape. Valencia have endured a mixed start to their campaign and currently sit second with three points taken from two matches after following up a disappointing 3-2 loss at home to Zenit, with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Stade de Gerland versus Lyon. Gent are one place behind in third with only one point recorded so far after an encouraging 1-1 draw at home to Lyon in the opening match and a subsequent 2-1 loss in Russia against Andre Villas-Boas' outfit.
Even with that 3-0 victory over Malaga a couple of days ago, Nuno Espirito Santo's outfit have found finding the back of the net as a real issue in this early part of the season. In Eight Spanish Primera Division matches, they have notched up just seven goals (including the weekend result), but have scored three times in the group stage so far. With Gent perhaps viewed as the group minnows when the draw was made, Los Che will be looking to bang in some goals and subsequently claim a vital three points on their own patch.
The teams have made their way to the pitch and we are almost ready for kick-off!
Espirito Santo has made just the solitary change from that 3-0 win over Malaga, and it sees Pablo Piatti drop to the bench in favour of Sofiane Feghouli. For Gent, Johansson and Raman are replaced by Matton and Saief, in what looks to be a 3-4-3 formation from the visitors. Interesting tactics from Vanhaezebrouck, who is perhaps looking to squeeze the space in those central areas, thus potentially nulifying the threat of the likes of Alcacer, Andre Gomes, and Parejo.
The Champions League theme sounds out in the vibrant Mestalla and the home fans are really up for this one this evening!
Half time at the Mestalla. This perhaps wasn't the most endearing Champions League match on paper this evening but we are being treated to quite the contest in Group H, as Gent hold Valencia 1-1 at the break. Feghouli opened the scoring for Los Che with a close range finish and the hosts looked like they would kick on, only to be denied a few times by Sels between the sticks. The Belgian side rallied and eventually grabbed a deserved equaliser when Foket sent a brilliant half volley with his weaker foot flashing past Domenech. A highly entertaining match; bring on the second period!
Full time at the Mestalla. Valencia can feel rather fortunate to come out of this match with a win tonight as they run out 2-1 winners against a dogged Gent side. Feghouli opened the scoring with a close range finish in the first half only for the Belgian side to rally and net an equaliser just before the break. The visitors were the better side for the majority of the second period but were hit with a sucker punch when Mitrovic sent the ball into his own net to make it 2-1. I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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