An amazing night for Spanish football, with a record four teams qualifying for the quarter finals. Alavés undoubtedly had their best night of their long history defeating Inter Milan 0-2 in the San Siro stadium. Needing to win after a 3-3 draw in the first leg, Mané went for a waiting game, keeping an orderly defence for most of the match and throwing on forwards for the last quarter of an hour. The ploy worked, with goals from Jordi Cruyff and Tomic, and the referee had to end the game four minutes early as Inter fans ran riot.

Assuming UEFA accept the result as it stands, Alavés will play Rayo Vallecano, who rounded off the good work in the first leg with a 1-2 victory at Girondins Bordeaux. The turning point of the match came in the 18th minute, when the referee awarded a dubious penalty for a foul by Ramé on Bolo right on the edge of the area, sending off the Bordeaux keeper. Luis Cembranos converted the kick, and although Mingo put through his own net a few minutes later, Bolo made the game safe with a goal early in the second half.

Barcelona cruised through without too much difficulty with a 5-0 win against AEK Athens. The Greek side only caused problems early on until they were reduced to ten men on the half hour mark when Kopsis was sent off. Luis Enrique scored twice in the first half, Rivaldo added a third early in the second and Luis Enrique completed his hat-trick on the hour mark, his eighth goal in five games. Substitute Gerard scored the fifth near the end from the penalty spot.

Barça's quarter final rivals will be Celta, who beat Stuttgart 2-1 thanks to a late goal by Mostovoi. Karpin gave the Vigo side an early lead, but Blank equalised on the stroke of half time to take the Germans ahead on the away goal rule. Mostovoi's goal takes Celta in to the quarter finals for the third year in a row. (22.02.01)