Valencia 5 SS Lazio 2

Three goals from Gerard Lopez put Valencia on the brink of the Champions League semi finals but they must survive a backlash from SS Lazio in Rome in a fortnight.

Lazio will really have to chase a tie they brought back to 4-2 at one stage following a crisis in the first four minutes when they let Valencia get a 2 goal lead.

Miguel Angel Angulo was allowed space and time in the third minute to hit a low shot past Marchegiani and then Gerard began an excellent night's work when he claimed a close range goal in the fourth minute to stun the Italian side.

Simone Inzaghi then set the whole tie alight with a great turn and finish after a clipped cross from Pavel Nedved.

The frantic first half ended with Gerard's second of the night from a low drive which prompted a mini fightback from Lazio in the second half. This left spaces at the back as the Italian side pressed forward and Gerard found space to convert a low cross for a 4-1 score line with Lazio reeling.

The Rome club ahd celebrated recent crucial wins over Chelsea, Juventus and in the Rome derby but the absence of centre back and captain Alessandro Nesta who failed a fitness test this morning left them ragged at the back and Valencia's quick passing game cut them to shreds at times.

Marcelo Salas converted his only real chance of the night with a neat finish from a through pass by Alen Boksic but Claudio Lopez completed the rout with an 88th minute shot on the run. Lazio now need at least three goals to save themselves in Rome.