Spartak Moscow 1 - Real Madrid 0

Real Madrid: César; Michel Salgado, Geremi, Karanka, Solari; Sanchís (Pavón 85'), Makelele; McManaman, Rivera, Munitis (Tote 75'); Morientes. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 47. Geremi (own goal). Shot from Titov which hit Karanka and then Geremi.

Final group A positions (6 matches):
1. Real Madrid .................13 points
2. Spartak Moscow ........12 points
3. Bayer Leverkusen .......7 points
4. Sporting Lisbon .............2 points

With a team made up largely of reserves, Real Madrid completed the formalities of the last day of the current phase of the Champions League. Madrid had already assured themselves of top spot in their group the week before, and the long trip and the inclement weather in Moscow convinced Del Bosque to leave behind most of his first choice players, allowing those that had played most games in the early part of the season to take a well earned rest. Figo and Helguera were in any case suspended for one match, but the manager also left behind Raúl, Hierro, Guti, Flavio and Roberto Carlos, with Casillas on the bench and Salgado and Morientes getting a run out after returning from injuries. Rivera was given his first game since returning to the club from his loan to Numancia, and three more youngsters, Pavón, Leo and Santos, were included in the squad, with Pavón making his debut five minutes from time, replacing his captain and hero Sanchís, who was playing his 100th game in European competitions.

Spartak were also sure of going through to the next phase, but even so a crowd of around 80,000 turned up in below freezing temperatures to watch the match. The first moments were for the home side, but Morientes felt he should have been awarded a penalty on the quarter hour mark after Kovtun brought him down. Other than that Madrid created little danger, with Morientes not getting the service he needed up front. César kept them in the game with a couple of good saves, especially from a header by Baranov, and then misfortune struck, Geremi turning the ball past his own keeper after Titov's shot deflected off Karanka. Michel saved a possible second goal near the end and then Kalynychenko hit the post, but it mattered little as the game came to an end. This was Real Madrid's sixth game in Russia and they have still to win there, although this time it didn't matter so much. It was however their third defeat in a row, which is a bit more worrying. They now have a few days rest before phase two, in which they have been drawn in group D with Anderlecht, Lazio and Leeds United.