Espanyol 3 - Benfica 2

Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz, Zabaleta (Lacruz 68'), Torrejón, Jarque, Chica; Rufete (Ito 79'), Moisés Hurtado, De la Peña, Riera; Luis García, Tamudo (Pandiani 52'). 4-4-2.
Benfica: Quim; Nelson, Anderson, David Luiz, Leo; Karagounis, Petit, Joao Coimbra (Rui Costa 35'), Simao; Derlei (Miccoli 56'), Nuno Gomes. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Tamudo. Picked up Luis García pass and rounded defender to score.
2-0. 32. Nelson (own goal). Headed past own keeper trying to clear Riera shot.
3-0. 58. Pandiani. Got on the end of Riera cross to head past Quim.
3-1. 63. Nuno Gomes. Beat Gorka after good work by Anderson and Miccoli.
3-2. 65. Simao. Cut in from left wing and fired deflected shot past keeper.

Espanyol have some work to do in the second leg after almost throwing away a three goal lead against Benfica. Tamudo opened the scoring early on, picking up Luis García's pass and leaving David Luiz for dead before beating Quim. And although Gorka had to make a couple of important saves, the Catalans went two up when Nelson deflected a shot from Riera into his own net.

Valverde brought on Pandiani for Tamudo soon after the restart, and within a few minutes the striker made it three, heading Riera's cross past the keeper for his tenth goal in the competition this season. It seemed to be all over, but five minutes later Miccoli set up Nuno Gomes to pull one back, and just two minutes later Simao got an individualist second. Pandiani could have restored the two goal cushion had Quim not kept him out later on, but it was not to be and Espanyol now probably have to draw at least in the Da Luz stadium next week if they are to go through.