Mixed results for Spanish clubs in the Champions League, with Barcelona beating Arsenal to qualify for the next phase, Real Madrid losing at Oporto but still well placed to qualify, and Valencia drawing at home to Bayern Munich, with their fate in the balance. In the UEFA cup, all four Spanish clubs got good results in their first legs of the second round. Return legs will be played on or around 4th November. Results were as follows:

Champions League

Arsenal 2 - Barcelona 4
Barcelona produced another epic in Wembley stadium, home of their one and only European cup final win, to qualify early for the next stage of the competition. Van Gaal surprised everyone replacing Hesp in goal with home grown young goalkeeper Arnau, but otherwise he put on his strongest side, with Kluivert, suspended for four matches in the league, returning to the centre forward position. There was a touch of good fortune in their first two goals, the first coming on 13 minutes from a dubious penalty which Rivaldo transformed after Adams was adjudged to have brought down Cocu, and the second two minutes later from Luis Enrique, who went round Adams after he slipped on the Wembley turf. Martin Keown was off the pitch at the time. Arsenal came back, and Arnau produced a splendid double save from Adams five minutes after the second goal. The home side did get one back before half time however, Bergkamp breaking his recent goal famine with a well taken goal from Kanu's cross. Ten minutes into the second half Figo reestablished the two goal difference, picking up a loose ball after Dixon had tackled Kluivert, his shot being half stopped by Seaman before crossing the line. Fifteen minutes later Cocu put the result beyond doubt, hitting Guardiola's pinpoint pass first time past the outstretched Seaman. Overmars scored Arsenal's second five minutes from time after a clever backheel by substitute Suker.

Oporto 2 - Real Madrid 1
Madrid lost for the first time in the Champions League, but are still well placed to qualify for the second league stage of the competition. Toshack decided to keep Ilgner in goal, and had Hierro back in the side after an injury. McManaman was still not fit, and Raúl, Morientes, Anelka and Savio were charged once again with the attack. Oporto were on top in the first half, but they were lucky to go ahead in the twelfth minute through Jardel, whose shot hit Iván Campo and ballooned over the stranded Ilgner and into the net. Vitor Baia kept out efforts from Morientes, Raúl and Anelka. Ten minutes from half time Oporto went 2-0 up, and once again the goal was not without controversy. Deco's corner was headed towards the goal by Jardel. At first sight it appeared that Roberto Carlos headed the ball clear from under the posts, but German referee Heynemann ruled that the ball had crossed the line. Madrid came back in the second half, and they appeared to be a different team. Toshack took off Anelka and put on Seedorf one minute into the second half in a tactical change, and Madrid came forward. Guti came on for Geremi 20 minutes in, and two minutes later they were back in the game, Peixe turning the ball past his own keeper in an effort to cut out Raúl's cross. Baia stood his ground however, and Madrid were unable to make further inroads. They are now second on seven points, two behind Oporto, three in front of Olympiakos and four ahead of Molde, and victory in the Bernabeu stadium next week against an Olympiakos side minus ex Barcelona striker Giovanni (suspended) will see them through.

Valencia 1 - Bayern Munich 1
Valencia could only draw at home to Bayern Munich and are now looking to get at least a point from their forthcoming visit to Glasgow to continue in the competition. With Angloma injured, Cúper decided to play young attacking midfielder Angulo at right back, and kept Claudio 'Piojo' López and Ilie up front. Both goals came early in the first half, with Ilie putting the home side ahead in the eleventh minute after combining well with Piojo before heading past Kahn. With Bjorkland limping Munich came forward, and Palop was forced to bring down their Brazilian striker Elber in one of their attacks. The referee awarded the penalty which Effenberg scored, and Palop was fortunate to escape being sent off. The local crowd egged on their side, and Valencia came close several times in the second half, with only Kahn (recently linked with Real Madrid for next season) between them and victory, finally making a great save from Ilie in jnury time. Munich were also dangerous on the counter attack, and their Brazilian duo of Elber and Paulo Sergio could also have swung it their way. In the end the points were shared, leaving Rangers top of the group on seven points, with Valencia and Munich on six and PSV on one. Everything now depends on their visit to Ibrox next week.