Mallorca 1 - Arsenal 0

Arsenal: Seaman; Lauren, Campbell, Keown, Cole; Ljungberg (Jeffers 70'), Vieira, Van Bronckhorst, Pires (Parlour 78'); Henry, Wiltord (Kanu 70').4-4-2.
Mallorca: Leo Franco; Olaizola, Fernando Niño, Nadal, Miguel Soler; Campano, Engonga (Vicente 65'), Marcos, Ibagaza (Novo 44'); Eto'o, Luque (Paunovic 75'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 12. Engonga (penalty). After Cole ruled to have tripped Luque in area.

Mallorca made their debut at the league stage of the European tournament with a victory in a match they did not want to play after the terrorist attack in the United States. With their request to postpone the game turned down by UEFA the match went ahead, although players from both sides seemed affected by the news during the minute's silence observed before kick off.

It was a well constructed victory, with the turning point of the game coming in the twelfth minute when Danish referee Knud Erik Fisker ruled that Ashley Cole had fouled Luque from behind in the penalty area. Arsenal were reduced to ten men as the referee rather unfairly sent off the young full back for the tackle, and when Engonga coolly slotted the ball past Seaman from the resulting spot kick they were halfway home. After that it was all Mallorca with Seaman making great saves from Engonga, Eto'o and particularly Luque, and Arsenal's first shot on goal came from Wiltord just before half time.

An orderly defence did the rest to set them off on the right foot, with Campano making his first start for the side in sparkling form. The downside though was the injuries to Ibagaza and Engonga, who both had to leave the field of play during the game and may be out for a week or two. In the end a better than expected start, which once again demonstrates that the Spanish teams can hold their own against the best Europe has to offer.