A strike from Rodrigo has fired Valencia into a 1-0 lead at the break in their Champions League clash against Monaco.
The home side took the lead in the fourth minute when Sofiane Feghouli headed a ball across the face of goal and Rodrigo pounced on it from close range to steer the ball into the net.
Monaco tried to get a goal back immediately as they pushed men into the final third, but Ivan Cavaleiro's effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Matthew Ryan.
Valencia had the chance to double their advantage when Anthony Martial failed to clear the danger from a corner, and Shkodran Mustafi controlled the ball but he put his effort over the bar.
Paco Alcacer missed an opportunity to extend his side's lead when Jose Gaya sent a low ball across the face of goal, but the forward could only guide straight at Danijel Subasic.
The visitors could have levelled the scores when Enzo Perez made a mistake, allowing Martial to release the run of Bernardo Silva, but the forward was denied by Ryan's save.
Monaco thought that they had drawn level just before the break when Martial converted Silva's cross at the back post, but the strike was disallowed due to offside.
Simon Sinclair
