Málaga (1) 1 - Villarreal (0) 1

Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta (Litos 81'), Valcarce; Gerardo, Romero, Miguel Angel, Musampa; Sandro (Dely Valdés 60'); Darío Silva (Leko 68'). 4-4-1-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Ballesteros, Quique Alvarez, Berruet (Víctor 60'); Belletti, Galca, Josico, Calleja; Guayre; Aranda, Palermo. 3-4-1-2.

Goals:
1-0. 32. Roteta. Deflected Miguel Angel shot past Reina following a corner.
1-1. 65. Aranda. Ran on to long ball to lift shot over Contreras.

Málaga went through to the first round of the UEFA cup after defeating Spanish rivals 2-1 on aggregate in their Intertoto final. The Andalucian side were favourites after winning away a fortnight ago, but visiting manager Víctor Muñoz went for broke with an aggressive line up, starting off with three men up front and only three defenders. Málaga's twin strikers Darío Silva and Dely Valdés both passed late fitness tests, although Joaquín Peiró decided to leave top scorer Dely on the bench at the start.

Villarreal came out strongly and almost levelled the tie early on. However Málaga settled down, and Roteta extended the lead around the half hour mark following a corner. Villarreal came back in the second half with a goal from Aranda to set up an exciting last twenty minutes. Málaga held on though, and the game ended in a brawl after a hard tackle by Palermo on Josemi, the German referee sending off three players, Palermo, and Josemi with straight red cards and Aranda for a second booking, once the fighting stopped.