Deportivo 1 - Lille 1

Deportivo: Nuno; Héctor, Donato, Helder, Capdevila; Duscher, Emerson (Sergio 60'); Víctor, Valerón (Djalminha 69'), Amavisca; Diego Tristán (Pandiani 76'). 4-2-3-1.
Lille: Wimbee; Pichot, Delpierre, Fahmi, Ecker; Landrin, N'Daye (Benoit Cheyrou 80'), D'Amico, Bruno Cheyrou; Sterjovski (Collot 87'), Bassir (Beck 92'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Diego Tristán (penalty). After striker brought down by Ecker.
1-1. 20. Bruno Cheyrou (penalty). Following hand ball by Héctor in penalty area.

Deportivo La Coruña qualified for the next phase of the competition with a clinically executed draw at home to Lille. Still without many of his star players, Irureta's deep squad meant he could still count on at least one player in each position of his standard formation, with Nuno, Héctor, Helder, Capdevila, Duscher and Amavisca all coming in the side for their injured counterparts. Diego Tristán was once again on his best form, and although Ecker stopped him early on with a good tackle, the next one resulted in a penalty which the Spanish international converted for his sixth goal in ten days. Lille levelled the scores soon afterwards though, again from the penalty spot after Héctor could not avoid handling in the area as the ball bounced up. Bruno Cheyrou, the elder of the two brothers in the French side, beat Nuno with the spot kick.

Although a draw was enough to ensure their qualification for the next round, Depor were still looking for the victory which would take them closer to being group champions. Inspired by Duscher, who was probably playing his best game for the club, they created several chances, with Víctor hitting the bar with half an hour gone. However their ex striker Bassir missed a clear chance for the visitors after the break, and Irureta opted for safety, bringing on fresh legs in Sergio, Pandiani and Djalminha, who was making his first appearance of the season in the Champions League. Depor ended the day top of the table on 9 points, ahead of Manchester United on goal average, and both will go in to the second phase draw on 2nd November. Lille are third with five points ahead of Depor's next opponents Olympiakos, who have four.