Paris Saint-Germain have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League after a goal from Edinson Cavani earned the French side a 1-0 win over APOEL.
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Paris Saint-Germain began the night a point ahead of Barcelona and they took a step towards maintaining that advantage when they took the lead in the opening minute.
A cross from Lucas Moura was controlled by Cavani before the Uruguayan striker saw his volley go through Urko Pardo and into the net.
APOEL could have found a shock equaliser before the quarter-hour mark but Nuno Morais, who made nine appearances for Chelsea between 2004 and 2007, blazed over the crossbar from no more than three yards.
That miss took away any complacency in the PSG ranks and they dominated the remainder of the half, but after Cavani had hit the post with a header, Pardo twice saved from the impressive Moura.
After the restart, the chances dried up for the hosts, despite remaining on the offensive, with a set piece from David Luiz being the only strike to trouble Pardo, who was redeeming himself after his earlier error.
Javier Pastore, who had drifted in and out of the game, was the next of PSG's South Americans to get a shot in on goal, but Pardo was equal to his attempted chip over the stopper.
APOEL somehow remained just the one goal behind in Paris and their poor luck in front of goal carried on as Cavani lashed wide of the far post.
PSG had more openings as the game entered added-on time, but one goal was enough for Blanc's men to guarantee their place in the last 16.
Darren Plant
