Espanyol 6 - Zulte Waregem 2

Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz; Zabaleta, Jarque, Lacruz, Velasco; Corominas, Moisés Hurtado, De la Peña (Edu Costa 56'), Riera (Moha 60'); Luis García (Rufete 80'), Pandiani. 4-4-2.
Zulte: Merlier; D'Haemers, Leleu (D'Haene 46'), Dindeleux, Reina; Van Nieuwenhuyze, Verschuere (Aliyu Datti 66'), Sergeant, Meert (Vandendriessche 46'); Matthys, Roussel. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Corominas. Picked up return pass from Luis García to score. 2-0. 14. Pandiani. Headed cross from Riera into top corner of net.
2-1. 17. Matthys. Got on the end of Meert's cross to head past Gorka.
3-1. 18. Luis García. Close range header from De la Peña's centre.
4-1. 27. Luis García (penalty). After Riera was fouled by D'Haemers in area.
4-2. 69. D'Haene. Header from corner taken by Matthys.
5-2. 72. Luis García. Picked up long pass from Velasco to beat Merlier.
6-2. 83. Pandiani. Another header from Moha's corner.

Espanyol top their group after thrashing Zulte Waregem 6-2, their highest tally ever in Europe and the first time they had scored six in an official competition in 50 years. The Belgian side came in to the game having won both of their opening ties, but within a quarter of an hour they were two down, Coro scything through the defence to open the scoring and Pandiani powering in a header. Matthys got one back at the other end three minutes later, but Luis García restored the two goal cushion with a header which Sergeant deflected in to his own net.

The goals kept coming, and Luis García converted a penalty with just under half an hour gone after D'Haemers fouled Riera. Valverde rested De la Peña and Riera, but Zulte substitute D'Haene got another for the visitors. Luis García completed his hat-trick though a couple of minutes later, running on to Velasco's pass to round the keeper and score, and Pandiani finished things off with another header from Moha's corner. The fans were in a festive mood, just what they needed to get their season back on track after such a bad start.