PSG gets smooth passage in Champions League

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Associated Press :Paris, Mar 08 2013, 02:04 IST

Ezequiel Lavezzi scored the equalizer as PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) drew 1-1 with Valencia on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 1995.

PSG had won the away leg of their last-16 match 2-1 and seemed content to sit back in a dull first half in which the visitors mustered two tame shots on target. The match came to life in the 55th minute when Brazilian forward Jonas profited from PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi to pick up the loose ball and score with a fierce shot from 20 meters.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti brought on substitute Kevin Gameiro shortly after and his surging run led to Lavezzi's equalizer in the 66th, as the Argentina winger knocked the ball in after Gameiro's initial shot had been saved.

David Beckham paced up and down on the touchline in a seemingly endless warm-up routine, but Ancelotti decided against bringing him on, choosing instead to shore up his defence with center back Mamadou Sakho for the last 10 minutes.

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