Champions League: Schalke 3 Valencia 1

Schalke came from a goal behind to defeat Valencia 3-1 and book their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Ricardo Costa fired Valencia into a 17th minute lead which not only gave them the lead on the night, but also on aggregate, before Jefferson Farfan struck a sensational free-kick just five minutes before half-time to equalise for Schalke.

Mario Gavranovic put the Bundesliga side in front with his 52nd minute finish and after Valencia missed a hatful of chances to take the lead on away goals, Farfan completed the victory with a delicate chip in injury time.

The tie was well poised after Raul’s second-half equaliser for Schalke at the Mestalla saw the first leg end at 1-1, but it was the La Liga outfit who impressed in the early stages of the return leg in Germany.

Jeremy Mathieu saw his early shot flash just wide of the post, but Unai Emery’s men did not have to wait long for a goal, which was triggered by a wonderful piece of skill by Mehmet Topal.

Topal intelligently created space for himself on the edge of the area and delivered a bullet cross which was turned in by Costa to give Valencia the lead and an all-important away goal.

Schalke were shaken by the goal and could have been two behind if it was not for Christoph Metzelder’s last-ditch challenge to deny Aduriz after 21 minutes.

The hosts were eventually able to work themselves back into the match and should have scored through Gavranovic who missed a header, before the equaliser came when Farfan produced a superb free-kick.

The Peruvian attacker curled his set piece around the wall and despite the best efforts of Valencia goalkeeper Guaita, who got a touch, the ball thudded into the back of the net to level proceedings.

Energised by their goal, Schalke started the second-half well and claimed the lead when Gavranovic pounced on a Guaita error, with his shot hitting both posts before trickling over the line.

The goal seemed to fire Valencia into action, and Aduriz shot into the side netting on 56 minutes before he saw a one-on-one opportunity brilliantly saved by in-demand Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer two minutes later.

Valencia should have levelled again through substitute Tino Costa, but he failed to connect with his first-time shot with the goal beckoning.

But as Valencia poured forward seeking the late away goal that would take them through, Schalke struck with a counter-attacking move finished by Farfan, who chipped over Guaita to send Felix Magath’s side through to the last eight for just the second time in their history.