Madrid - Valencia striker Jonas Goncalvez scored the fastest goal in the history of the Champions League to give his side a lifeline in the competition as they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in the Mestalla stadium on Tuesday night.
Jonas needed just nine seconds to open the scoring against the Germans in what was a must win game for Valencia, who went into the game with just two points from their three previous matches and with a four-point disadvantage in the group that also includes Bayer.
Anything other than a win was simply not enough for Valencia and Jonas' goal got them off to a perfect start against a side that had defeated them 2-1 just a fortnight earlier.
Bayer reached after that early shock and they drew level and Stefan Kiessling equalized after 31 minutes as he headed home a pinpoint cross from veteran midfielder Michael Ballack.
That goal caused problems for Valencia as their fans had begun to get nervous before Roberto Soldado put the home side back in front. The supporters had begun to whistle their side and there was audible criticism of coach Unai Emery for his decision to replace Sophiane Feghouli with Pablo Piatti just before the hour.
Central defender Adil Rami assured the win with a powerful header with 15 minutes remaining and although it was not a vintage display from the home side, it was enough to give them a win and the chance to make it into the last 16 of the competition.
The win did come at a price, however, Valencia's influential midfielder ever Banega was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after just 24 minutes of the game. The Argentinean fell badly and looked to have seriously hurt himself and was in tears as he left the pitch to be replaced by Tino Costa.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com