Soler stars as Valencia boost Champions League last-16 hopes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Carlos Soler in action REUTERS/Heino Kalis

(Reuters) - Valencia's Carlos Soler had a hand in all three goals as they beat Young Boys 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, boosting their last-16 hopes with their first home win of the season.

The La Liga side have been struggling domestically and sit 15th in the league, but they gave their home fans some cheer with a comfortable Group H win over the Swiss, who finished with 10 men after Sekou Sanogo was sent off late on for a high tackle.

Valencia's joy, however, was somewhat tempered by a surprising result in Turin where Manchester United came from behind to beat group leaders Juventus 2-1.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Carlos Soler in action REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Valencia, who briefly occupied second spot, are third on five points ahead of their own trip to Italy later this month.

The Spaniards took the lead after 14 minutes at the Mestalla when Soler surged through on goal and saw his angled chip come back off the post to be put in by Santi Mina.

Young Boys struck back in the 37th minute when Roger Assale took a quick, clever touch in the box to put the ball on his right foot and drove it into the far bottom corner.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Young Boys' Roger Assale in action with Valencia's Gabriel Paulista REUTERS/Heino Kalis

They were level for only four minutes, however, as Mina got his outstretched foot on to a cross from Soler, who finally got on the scoresheet to wrap up the win 10 minutes after halftime with a low strike from the right of the area.

Marcelino's side trail second-placed United by two points and travel to Juve knowing they must get something from that game as the Premier League side will be heavy favourites to beat the now eliminated Young Boys at home.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Jose Gaya in action with Young Boys' Roger Assale REUTERS/Heino Kalis

(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Ferran Torres in action with Young Boys' Djibril Sow REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Ferran Torres in action with Young Boys' Djibril Sow REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Santi Mina in action REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Daniel Wass in action with Young Boys' Christian Fassnacht REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Santi Mina celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Valencia v Young Boys - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 7, 2018 Valencia's Santi Mina in action with Young Boys' Steve von Bergen REUTERS/Heino Kalis