Spain's UEFA Cup teams are having some problems at the league stage this season, and only Valencia are sure of a place in the last 32 with one game to go. They drew 1-1 with Club Brugge thanks to a second half goal from forgotten man Zigic. Deportivo have a good chance of going through though after a 1-1 draw at Lech Poznan, central defender Colotto getting his third goal of the competition, and Sevilla still need a point from their last match at Sampdoria after beating Partizan Belgrade 3-0, with Luis Fabiano scoring twice and Renato getting the other.

Goals galore at the weekend, the 44 scored in the ten matches the highest tally in ten years. No less than 17 came in three games on Saturday, with leaders Barcelona beating Valencia 4-0 thanks largely to a hat-trick from Thierry Henry. Agüero and Forlán scored two each and Maxi another as Atlético Madrid beat Sporting Gijón 2-5, with Bilic and Barral replying for the Asturians. And Getafe and Villarreal drew 3-3, Rossi getting a late equaliser for the visitors after they went three down at the break.

The big match on Sunday between Real Madrid and Sevilla finished 3-4, with Raúl and Higuaín on target for the locals and Kanouté getting one for the Andalusians. Lafita opened the scoring for Deportivo as they beat Málaga 2-0 to keep in touch with the leaders, and Emaná scored for the fifth game in a row as Betis drew 1-1 with Espanyol. An extraordinary weekend, and one we probably won't see repeated for a long time to come. (08.12.08)