Deportivo La Coruña 1 - Basel 0

Deportivo: Juanmi; Héctor, Andrade, Naybet, Romero; Scaloni, Sergio, Duscher, Fran (Amavisca 60'); Makaay (Luque 79'), Diego Tristán (Valerón 70'). 4-3-2-1.
Basel: Zuberbühler; Haas, Quennoz, Zwyssig, Atouba; Barberis (Tum 73'), Huggel; Varela (Rossi 57'), Hakan Yakin, Chipperfield; Giménez. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 04. Diego Tristán. Controlled Héctor's long pass to score from close up.

Group D:
Manchester Utd.......... 12
Juventus......................... 4
Deportivo....................... 4
Basel............................... 3

A goal in the fourth minute of the match from Diego Tristán was enough to give Deportivo La Coruña a belaboured victory over Basel. The Spanish international striker collected Héctor's cross after keeper Zuberbühler mistimed his challenge to score into an empty net from three metres out, and after the six goals Depor scored at the weekend it looked like another big win was on the cards. But once again the Swiss proved a real handful and were unlucky not to be level by the break, with Juami saving from the Coruña born Varela and Giménez heading wide soon after the goal. A few minutes later Zwyssig headed just out following a corner, and only the news that Manchester United were leading against Juventus in the other group match gave the fans any cheer at the break.

Depor improved in the second half though, with Tristán and Makaay getting more service from their midfield, but still they could not add to their total. Irureta brought on Amavisca, then Valerón (to rousing applause) and finally Luque, who should have got a second if he had not slipped when one on one with the keeper. After a nerve-wracking last few minutes the referee put an end to proceedings, and with Manchester United's victory at Juventus confirmed, Depor now have a real chance of reaching the last eight. Their visit to the Italian side in a fortnight's time will be the key, and whoever wins that match will automatically qualify as second in the group behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side. A draw would leave everything up to the last day, and even Basel then could have a chance.