Deportivo La Coruña (0) 2 - Leeds United (3) 0

Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Naybet, Donato, Romero; Mauro Silva; Víctor (Diego Tristán 62'), Djalminha ( Valerón 68'), Fran; Pandiani (Turu Flores 78'), Makaay. 4-1-3-2.
Leeds: Martyn; Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte; Bowyer, Batty, Dacourt, Kewell (Bakke 76'); Smith, Viduka. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Djalminha (penalty). Following push by Kewell on Víctor in penalty area.
2-0. 70. Diego Tristán. Side footed ball into net on far post after pass from Valerón.

Deportivo La Coruña were eliminated from the Champions League thanks to a bad night in Leeds two weeks ago. Deportivo were beaten in England by three clear goals in one of their worst performances this season, and it was always going to be an uphill struggle after that. Javier Irureta gave himself a chance with an attacking line up, playing an extra forward Pandiani at the expense of a central midfield player. Donato and Mauro Silva, missing in the first leg, were back in the side, although Emerson was out through suspension.

A capacity crowd lead by the Riazor Blues got behind their team right from the start, and they were rewarded by an early goal, Djalminha sending Martyn the wrong way from the penalty spot after Kewell pushed down Víctor. A few minutes later a centre-come-shot from Romero caught the keeper off guard and the ball hit the far post, and Fran called vociferously for a penalty later in the half when tripped on the edge of the area. A few minutes after the restart Martyn made the save of the night, tipping Romero's strong shot on to the crossbar, and with Leeds leading a charmed life Irureta decided it was time for changes. On came a third centre forward Diego Tristán, and a few minutes later Valerón made his entry in the place of Djalminha, much to the perplexity of many fans.

However the changes bore fruit almost immediately, Fran taking a clever quick free kick with players still discussing the foul, and Valerón rolled the ball across the face of the goal for Tristán to pop it into the net. One more goal now would take the game into extra time, although it was the visitors who almost scored next, Molina saving at point blank range from Viduka. Smith selfishly shot at goal from a wide angle with Viduka better placed, and at the other end Makaay hit the woodwork again with a header.

A few minutes from the end Turu Flores came on for a less than happy Pandiani, who mirrored the frustration of his players by thumping the dug out on his way off the pitch. They were on the way out of the competition, and Leeds go on to meet the only Spanish side they have yet to face, Valencia. The Depor players were upset at being knocked out in their first ever participation in the Champions League, but they will almost certainly be back next year a little bit wiser.