Valencia CF (Spain) 2-1 (2-0) FC Krasnodar (Russia)
Goals: Rodrigo, 12 (Gameiro, 1-0), Rodrigo, 24 (Lato, 2-0), Claesson, 63 (Gazinsky, 2-1).
Valencia CF (Spain): Neto, Lato, Diakhaby, Gabriel, Piccini, Coquelin, Parejo, Soler, Guedes (Cheryshev, 70), Gameiro (Sobrino, 79), Rodrigo (Mina, 63)
FC Krasnodar (Russia): Safonov, Petrov, Spajić, Martynovich, Stotsky (Ari, 55), Kaboré, Gazinsky (Golubev, 89), Olsson, Ramírez, Wanderson (Suleymanov, 80), Claesson.
Yellow cards: Parejo, 55 (attack breakdown), Coquelin, 81 (unsporting behaviour) – Kaboré, 20 (foul play), Claesson, 45 (unsporting behaviour), Martynovich, 71 (foul play), Olsson, 80 (unsporting behaviour).
Referees: Grinfeld, Shimon, Hassan, Papir, Adler (all Israel).
7 March 2019. Spain. Valencia. Mestalla Stadium. Clear. 15 degrees. 36 274 spectators.
A two-leg clash between Valencia CF and FC Krasnodar in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 was opened with a match at the Mestalla Stadium. The home team began the game in a very powerful way, that's why mid through the first half they achieved a two-goal lead thanks to the brace scored by the Spain national team striker, Rodrigo. The Bulls prevailed in the second half though. On the 63rd minute Viktor Claesson made good use of a super accurate vertical pass by Gazinsky and made the gap minimal.
The 2-1 score remained until the very full-time, so now the best team of a tie will be determined in the second leg that will be staged in Krasnodar on 14 March.