Žigić heads Valencia on to the next level

Nikola Žigić struck to take Valencia CF through to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, with his headed effort ensuring Unai Emery's side can finish no lower than third in Group G.

Two headers
The Serbia forward headed Valencia's equaliser on the hour after a similarly dispatched goal from Antolin Alcaraz had put Club Brugge KV in front at the Mestalla Stadium. The 2003/04 UEFA Cup winners fielded some fringe players, and while they rarely looked comfortable against Jacky Matthijssen's men, the 1-1 draw proved sufficient to secure their place in the next stage of the competition.

Brave finish
Club Brugge took the lead after 18 minutes, with Ronald Vargas dinking a free-kick into the area and Alcaraz, having escaped his marker, beating Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita to the ball to nod into an empty net, before colliding heavily with the on-rushing custodian. The Paraguayan needed treatment, but his goal helped keep his team on top until the interval.

Unlucky break
Vargas almost doubled the visitors' advantage ten minutes after the break, getting in behind the Valencia back line to test Guaita with a powerful shot, while the rebound looped over Karel Geraerts's head with the home goal gaping. However, Valencia made the most of their good fortune as the tall Žigić outmuscled two defenders to head home from Hugo Viana's outswinging corner.

Final task
It was tough on Club Brugge, who had kept the hosts at bay fairly well until then. However, the Belgian outfit were lucky not to fall 2-1 behind in the 70th minute when Pablo Hernández's free-kick took a huge deflection and rolled narrowly wide of the post with Stijn Stijnen wrong-footed. Club Brugge must now avoid defeat in their final game at home against FC København to go through.