Champions League: Edinson Cavani secures Paris St Germain late 1-0 win at APOEL

Edinson Cavani handed Paris Saint-Germain a dramatic late 1-0 Champions League victory in Cyprus as APOEL were denied a hard-earned point.

The Uruguayan frontman struck in instinctive style with just three minutes remaining to break APOEL hearts on a night when the home side enjoyed the clearer opportunities with defender David Luiz having earlier cleared a Tiago Gomes header off the line.

But ultimately Cavani's intervention was enough to keep PSG, who beat Barcelona in the last round of matches, at the top of Group F, with seven points from their opening three fixtures.

For all PSG dominated possession during the opening 45 minutes, they ended the half with nothing to show for their efforts with the home side defending tigerishly to ensure they headed back to the home dressing room with the score still at 0-0.

Home keeper Urko Pardo had only one save of note to make when he fielded Javier Pastore's 20th-minute shot from distance with little difficulty, although he will have been relieved to see Cavani mis-kick in front of goal six minutes later and then glance a header into the side-netting.

But while APOEL had to defend for long periods, they were not content simply to soak up pressure and keeper Salvatore Sirigu had earlier had to turn away Cillian Sheridan's third-minute effort, while Luiz protected his keeper with a block from George Efrem.

Cavani went significantly closer within seconds of the restart when he forced Pardo to tip over his header from Lucas Moura's cross with the visitors pressing in concerted fashion once again.

However, it was APOEL who almost took the lead when Gomes headed Gustavo Manduca's inviting 56th-minute cross towards goal, only for Luiz to clear off the line.

Substitute Yohan Cabaye failed to test Pardo to any great extent from 25 yards with 17 minutes remaining, but Cavani finally broke the deadlock with three minutes remaining when he fired home expertly as he fell to the ground to claim a precious win for the French champions.