Málaga 1 - Boavista 0

Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Manu Sánchez, Romero, Sandro (Leko 75'), Musampa; Darío Silva, Dely Valdés (Canabal 75'). 4-4-2.
Boavista: Ricardo; Rui Oscar (Bosingwa 46'), Éder, Paulo Turra, Mario Loja; Avalos; Martelinho, Pedrosa, Goulart (Yuri 71'), Jorge Silva (Luiz Claudio 46'); Jocivalter. 4-1-4-1.

Goals:
1-0. 18. Dely Valdés. Scored on far post after Darío Silva laid the ball across.

A single Dely Valdés goal was enough to give Málaga a 1-0 victory in this first leg tie against Portugal's Boavista. The Panamanian striker celebrated his 36th birthday the day before the match, and he was given a late present by his team mate Darío Silva in the eighteenth minute, a deep cross which enabled him to score his tenth goal in Europe this season from close range. Referee Pierluigi Collina ruled out a second goal by Silva a few minutes later as Manu was standing in an offside position, and visiting keeper Ricardo saved from a Musampa free kick just before half time.

Boavista were missing several injured players as well as the suspended Felipe Anunciaçao and Elpidio Silva, and manager Jaime Pacheco made two changes at the break to liven things up. Avalos and Pedrosa both tested Contreras as they worked their way back in to the game, but the keeper showed a safe pair of hands and Málaga could have gone further ahead if Ricardo had not made another excellent save from substitute Canabal.

Joaquín Peiró was happy at the end though, especially with the fact that his side did not let in an away goal, and the Spaniards must now be favourites to go through. However they will not have it easy in next week's return leg in Porto, especially as Gato Romero picked up his third booking of the competition and will miss that game.