valencia-soccer news

Osasuna snatched first Champs League outing

OSASUNA capped a tremendous Primera Liga season.

They beat Valencia 2-1 to clinch Champions League qualification for the first time in the club's history.

The hosts knew a victory would be enough to clinch fourth place ahead of Sevilla, while the visitors needed to better Real Madrid's result to clinch second place and an automatic Champions League spot, making it an anxious first half at the Estadio El Sadar. 

Two goals in five minutes at the start of the second period from Savo Milosevic and David Lopez settled their nerves.

Ludovic Delporte tormented Portuguese right-back Miguel before crossing from deep on the left, his centre perfect for Milosevic to head firmly past Canizares, who was rooted to the spot.

Four minutes later, Lopez made it two after more good work on the left by Delporte.

Although a superb stoppage-time free-kick from David Villa had Osasuna sweating late on, they managed to hold on.