The designation of the referee in the match between Mallorca and Athletic de Bilbao was being questioned before the match as, although Turienzo Alvarez is now registered in Castilla-Leon, he was born in Barakaldo on the outskirts of Bilbao. Mallorca supporters need not have worried however. The referee awarded an injury time penalty to the home side for a foul by Ferreira on Carreras which substitute Diego Tristán converted for the winning goal. Mallorca manager Fernándo Vazquez decided on a defensive line up, with only Carlos up front and with Siviero returning in defence. Bilbao were without Julen Guerrero, suspended after being sent off for the first time in his career. Carlos opened the scoring for Mallorca in the eighth minute, heading in Stankovic's corner. Bilbao equalised four minutes from full time through Etxeberria after the Mallorca defence, and particularly eccentric goalkeeper Burgos, went walk about. The game appeared to be ending in a draw when the referee awarded the penalty which gave Mallorca the final 2-1 victory. Bilbao's manager Luis Fernández, just back after a six match suspension, could not control his mouth again and he was given a red card shortly before the end of the game. Curiously, his namesake, Betis's Luis Fernández, was sent off the day before.

Atlético de Madrid recorded their first league win of the season, and their first home victory for 105 days, when they beat Racing de Santander 2-0. Ranieri kept the 4-4-1-1 formation which got them their first point last week, once again playing Venturin in midfield to the detriment of Hugo Leal. Racing's manager Benítez brought in Belgian international keeper Erwin Lemmens for the injured Ceballos, and kept Rushfeldt on the bench again. The first half finished goal-less, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink broke through the Racing defence with a strong shot from the edge of the area in the 70th minute to give Atleti the lead. Benítez brought on Rushfeldt, but Baraja added the second for the Madrid side two minutes from time after Roberto, Valeron and Paunovic had all had shots blocked. This time there was no penalty to save Racing (Salva had scored five in the last four matches), and Atleti climb out of the relegation zone with four points, ahead of Sevilla and Valencia. Racing are another of the teams in ninth equal on 7 points.