Spain's participation in European competitions came to an end this week with the elimination of Real Madrid from the Champions League by Juventus. Zidane's twelfth of the season in all competitions was not enough to save them this time. Madrid bounced back on Sunday though with five goals against Málaga, including two each for Raúl and Morientes. What a pity Raúl was not fully fit for the midweek game.

And what a topsy-turvey year we are having in the league, with last week's low scoring tally followed by the second highest weekend of the season, 37 goals in all. Athletic got four in a high scoring derby at Alavés, with Urzaiz getting his thirteenth of the season and Etxeberría joining him with two goals late in the game. There were six goals as well in the 3-3 draw between Sevilla and Rayo, with under 21 international Reyes getting a couple, and Javi Moreno also got his name on the scoresheet twice for Atlético.

Possibly the most important goal of the weekend though came at San Sebastian, where Nihat's 20th of the season was just enough to take Real Sociedad back to top of the table. How Barcelona wish they were up there, but Kluivert's strike in the Nou Camp against Mallorca didn't count for anything as his side lost again. (20.05.03)