Sporting Lisbon 2 - Real Madrid 2

Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Campo, Iván Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Figo, Makelele (Celades 60'), Flavio (Guti 60'), Savio; Raúl, Munitis (Julio César 90'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 39. Sa Pinto. Header on near post after corner by André Cruz.
2-0. 42.André Cruz. Free kick from outside area which beat Casillas.
2-1. 49. Roberto Carlos. Direct free kick through defensive wall.
2-2. 75. Rui Jorge (own goal). Raúl took pass from Figo and shot deflected by Rui.

Real Madrid came back from two goals down to win a valuable point in Lisbon. The Portuguese side surprised Real with two first half goals, the first by a player they had turned down in the pre-season. Sa Pinto was very close to signing when technical staff finally rejected him, arguing that they wanted a striker rather than another midfielder. Sa Pinto proved however that he can score goals, rising on the near post to head in André Cruz's corner shortly before the break. Before Madrid had time to react, André Cruz had added the second from a well struck free kick from outside of the area which flew past Casillas. It did not take the visitors long to get back in the match however, Roberto Carlos hitting a house special through the defensive wall and past a surprised Peter Schmeichel. Manager Vicente Del Bosque was trying out a new combination in midfield, with Flavio and Makele playing as a double pivot. However the pairing was less than effective, with Flavio in particular a bit lost playing a defensive role, and on the hour mark Celades and Guti came on in their place. Madrid played better from then on, and they equalised with fifteen minutes to go when Figo, roving out on the left, laid the ball back for Raúl to shoot. The ball appeared to be going just wide, but Rui Jorge stuck out a foot and deflected the ball past his own keeper. The reaction of Schmeichel was not a pretty sight, as the defender cowered under his blast of icy air. Either side could have snatched it, but in the end a draw was probably a fair result. A good start for Madrid, and a valuable away point.