Intertoto cup final, first leg

Villarreal 2 - Atlético Madrid 0

Villarreal are on track for their second Intertoto cup title in a row after beating Atlético Madrid 2-0 in the first leg of their final. Pellegrini's side had the better of the first half but couldn't find the route to goal, with new boy Gonzalo Rodríguez heading just over the bar in the first minute, and Pablo clearing José Marí's deflected shot off the line before the break. Within ten minutes of the restart the pressure paid off, Roger turning the ball into the net after Anderson's effort was blocked by Leo Franco. Fernando Torres had a goal disallowed for a borderline offside at the other end a few minutes later, but soon afterwards the home side made it two, Anderson nodding back Riquleme's free kick for Rodríguez to head in from close range. It was the thirteenth European home game that Villarreal have gone without letting in a goal, and they must now be favourites to qualify for the place in the UEFA cup which this tournament affords. (10.08.04)