24 November,2010 08:36 AM IST | | AFP
French champions Marseille qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League last night with a convincing 3-0 victory over nine-time Russian champions Spartak Moscow. Goals by French internationals Mathieu Valbuena and Loic Remy and one from Brazilian Brandao saw the 1993 champions through to the knockout stage with one match to spare.
Valbuena, who scored in France's 2-1 friendly win over England last week, made no mistake in the 18th minute as he turned and curled a brilliant shot into the top-right corner after being picked out by veteran Argentine full-back Gabriel Heinze.
The visitors doubled their lead through a bizarre goal in the 54th minute. Remy completely sliced an attempted half-volley from Brandao's left-wing cross but the ball looped fortuitously over his marker's head and the France striker pounced to ram in a low shot that hit both posts before going in.
The hosts' chances diminished further in the 63rd minute when Welliton saw red after he collided heavily with Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda as he tried to get on the end of a cross, and when Diawara chided him with a sly knee, Welliton reacted by pushing him over.
It was game over in the 68th minute as a careless pass by a Spartak defender was seized on by Andre Ayew, who found Brandao whou00a0 finished brilliantly.
