Last-gasp Nekunam fells Bordeaux

Javad Nekunam's dramatic strike in the last minute of extra time sealed CA Osasuna's place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup at the expense of FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Nekunam efforts
The tie had looked set for penalties after 209 minutes without a goal, but the midfielder scored with 20 seconds of the second leg remaining. Indeed, it was Nekunam who had the first and last chances of a fairly uneventful encounter in Pamplona. The Iranian international had warmed the gloves of visiting goalkeeper Ulrich Ramé in the early stages with a fierce 30-metre drive.

Micoud strike
Bordeaux playmaker Johan Micoud signalled the way forward for the French side by unleashing a shot that flew just wide of the right-hand post, while at the other end, home defender Josetxo Romero sent a close-range header wide. The match was generally low on thrills, however, and it was not until the 55th minute that Bordeaux threatened again, Edixon Perea breaking clear of the defence only to be denied by goalkeeper Ricardo López.

Late drama
Both teams had opportunities late on, with Raúl García twice going close for Osasuna and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh trying his luck from distance, but ultimately neither could make the breakthrough in normal time. The action also failed to hot up in the extra half-hour with visiting centre-back Gérald Cid offering most menace before Nekunam delivered the knockout blow in dramatic fashion, coolly burying the ball into the corner of the net after being released by David López.