Valdez double sees Bremen through as Valencia crash out

WERDER BREMEN clinched their place in the last 16 of the Champions League when two late strikes by substitute Nelson Valdez secured a 2-0 win at Claudio Raineri's Valencia in Group G.

The Paraguayan striker grabbed his first seven minutes from time when he rounded keeper Santiago Canizares to end Valencia's hopes of staying in the competition and he compounded their misery with a second goal in injury time.

The victory ensured the German champions would progress alongside group winners Inter Milan to the next round, while Valencia will have to be satisfied with the consolation of defending their UEFA Cup crown. Valencia, needing to win 1-0 or by a margin of two goals to make the next round, were unable to break down the well organised Werder defence, marshalled by the outstanding Frank Baumann.