Strikes from Rodrigo, Daniel Parejo and Sofiane Feghouli have handed Valencia a 3-1 win over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at the Mestalla.
The home side took the lead in the fourth minute when Feghouli headed a ball across the face of goal and Rodrigo pounced on it from close range to steer it 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 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.
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.
In the second half, the visitors did find an equaliser as Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic was in the right place at the right time to slot a loose ball in the area past Ryan after Martial had caused havoc in the Valencia area with a raiding run and low cross into the box.
However, the hosts restored their lead when Antonio Barragan raided down the right and lifted a deep cross to the back post for Pablo Piatti. The forward did well to control the ball into the path of Parejo, who found the back of the net with a low drive.
Parejo could have put his side in complete control of the tie when he raided forward in search of his second goal of the night, but sent his shot wide of the target.
Valencia did get a crucial third goal when the visitors failed to clear a corner into the box and Feghouli displayed awareness and quality to hold his composure to strike the ball on the half-volley into the bottom corner.
Simon Sinclair
