Juve through as brilliant Ronaldo assist sets up Valencia win

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Juventus v Valencia - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - November 27, 2018 Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo, Giorgio Chiellini and team mates celebrate at the end of the match REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Juventus clinched a place in the Champions League knockout stages when a brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo assist set up Mario Mandzukic to give them a 1-0 win over Valencia on Tuesday. The Serie A champions had struggled to break down Valencia's defence until Joao Cancelo slipped the ball to Ronaldo in the Valencia area in the 59th minute of the Group H clash. Ronaldo wrong-footed Gabriel Paulista with some fancy footwork, giving him space to roll a low cross across the face of goal for Mandzukic to turn in from two metres. Juventus top the section with 12 points from five games while Valencia, third with five points, were eliminated after second-placed Manchester United beat Young Boys 1-0.

"Valencia have the best defence in La Liga and it's not easy to score against them," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.