Minute-by-minute report

Dan Reynolds reporting

Leeds' Champions League dreams are over after they were clinically destroyed by a stunning second half performance from last year's beaten finalists Valencia.

Hector Cupar's side were simply too good for Leeds' shaven-headed stars and clinched a Champions League final spot at the San Siro following a devastating five minute spell just after the half-time break.

Juan Sanchez and club captain Gaizka Mendieta scored the crucial goals as the Spanish side out-classed Leeds to set up a mouthwatering clash with either Bayern Munich or La Liga rivals and last year's conquerors Real Madrid.

And Leeds' misery was compounded at the death when fiery England Under-21 striker hit the self-destruct button by receiving his marching orders for the third time this season after a crude challenge on former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps.

But David O'Leary's men - already seething at Lee Bowyer's late suspension - will be even more furious after falling behind to a controversial goal in the 16th minute.

Spanish striker Sanchez appeared to force home Mendieta's stunning inswinging cross with his arm, but Swiss referee Urs Meier waived away Leeds' desperate appeals for handball.

It was the second time this season that Leeds have suffered from a controversial handball decision in the Champions League after Real Madrid striker Raul punched the ball past Martyn during the second stage.

But despite falling behind to Sanchez's early suckerpunch, Leeds still looked more than capable of snatching an equaliser with Australian international Harry Kewell slamming a 20-yard drive just over the bar.

French midfielder Olivier Dacourt also tested Santiago Canizares with a 25-yard effort before the Spanish keeper had to be at his best to foil David Batty and Alan Smith in quick succession.

But Leeds' dreams lay in tatters just two minutes after the interval when Sanchez delivered a stunning low, 20-yard drive past a despairing Martyn.

It could have been three in the 51st minute as Mendieta was sent racing clear, but his first touch let him down, allowing Martyn to race off his line and avert the danger.

But the Cornishman was picking the ball out of his net again seconds later when Mendieta sent a blistering low drive past him from 18 yards to end any hopes Leeds had of clawing their way back into the match.

Valencia could have even added to their three-goal haul when Sanchez was denied a hat-trick after his delightful flick shot with the outside of his right boot struck the outside of the post before Smith once again blotted his copybook with a needless sending off.

Valencia: Canizares, Angloma, Ayala, Pellegrino, Aurelio, Albelda, Mendieta (Angulo 73), Aimar (Deschamps 70), Kily Gonzalez (Vicente 65), Carew, Sanchez.
Subs Not Used: Palop, Djukic, Zahovic, Alonso.
Booked: Sanchez, Aimar.
 
Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Bakke, Dacourt, Batty, Kewell, Viduka, Smith.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Kelly, Woodgate, McPhail, Wilcox, Burns, Maybury.
Sent Off: Smith (90).

Agg (3-0) Att: 53,000
Ref: Urs Meier (Switzerland).

Minute-by-minute
90 mins: RED CARD! SMITH receives his marching orders for a terrible tackle on Deschamps.
89 mins: SAVE! Martyn saves Leeds from further embarrassment by denying Sanchez.
85 mins: SAVE! Martyn superbly keeps out Carew's close-range effort.
79 mins: Leeds just cannot force a way back into the match as Valencia continue to dominate.
76 mins: It's party time for the Mestalla faithful as they move closer to another Champions League final.
73 mins: SUBSTITUTION - Goal hero Mendieta comes off for Angulo.
72 mins: SAVE! Martyn does well to punch away Mendieta's fierce drive.
69 mins: SUBSTITUTION - Valencia's record signing Aimar is replaced by Deschamps.
67 mins: OOH! Sanchez is denied a hat-trick after striking the post.
65 mins: SUBSTITUTION - Valencia replace Vicente with Gonzalez.
59 mins: Gonzalez's header is easily claimed by Martyn.
56 mins: Batty and Mendieta clash as tempers begin to flare.
52 mins: GOAL! MENDIETA puts the game beyond doubt with a clinical finish!
49 mins: Kewell heads well wide of target as Leeds seek a way back into the match.
47 mins: GOAL! SANCHEZ scores a stunning second goal to double Valencia's lead!
46 mins: Batty is once again at his tigerish best to thwart Aimar.
KICK OFF!
HALF-TIME
45 mins: One minute of added time to be played.
44 mins: Smith forces a corner for Leeds after good work from Batty.
42 mins: Ayala heads the corner just wide of Martyn's goal.
42 mins: Corner to Valencia.
40 mins: Viduka steals a march on Ayala but fails to trouble Canizares from Kewell's fine cross.
38 mins: OOH! Carew's deflected header fizzes just over the bar.
37 mins: Carew heads Mendieta's cross wide of Martyn's far post.
36 mins: OOH! Smith forces Canizares into a fine low save with an angled drive.
35 mins: Batty shoots straight at Canizares after great work from Viduka.
31 mins: OOH! Dacourt tests Canizares with a thunderous 25-yard effort.
28 mins: OOH! Kewell fires just over the bar with a scorching 20-yard drive.
27 mins: Corner to Leeds!
26 mins: Ferdinand cuts out Mendieta's delightful through-ball.
21 mins: Corner to Leeds, but Angloma heads clear.
18 mins: YELLOW CARD! SANCHEZ is booked for a late foul on Mills.
16 mins: GOAL! SANCHEZ gives Valencia the lead with a controversial goal.
14 mins: Sanchez heads Aimar's cross over Martyn's bar.
13 mins: Ferdinand does superbly to cut out Carew's low cross.
10 mins: SAVE! Canizares has to punch away Kewell's dangerous cross.
8 mins: Bakke just fails to connect with Kewell's searching cross.
5 mins: It's all Valencia in the opening stages as they continue to bombard the Leeds goal.
3 mins: SAVE! Martyn has to be at his best to block Mendieta's scorching drive.
1 min: Batty gives away an early free-kick for a foul on Kily.
KICK OFF!

TEAMS:
Valencia: Canizares, Angloma, Ayala, Pellegrino, Aurelio, Albelda, Mendieta, Aimar, Kily Gonzalez, Carew, Sanchez.
Subs: Palop, Deschamps, Djukic, Zahovic, Alonso, Angulo, Vicente.
 
Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Bakke, Dacourt, Batty, Kewell, Viduka, Smith. Subs: Robinson, Kelly, Woodgate, McPhail, Wilcox, Burns, Maybury.

Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)