A last-gasp winner from Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam was just enough to send jubilant Osasuna through to the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup at the expense of a plucky Bordeaux side who, in the end, did not show quite enough class to secure their first win on Spanish soil. The game was tense, and it took two legs plus extra time to finally see the deadlock broken, but fortune favoured the home side, as they joined three other Spanish teams in the next round of the competition.

Bordeaux surprised many by fielding an attacking line-up which featured Johan Micoud, hurried back from injury, as well as Wendel and Edixon Perea, neither of which looked fully fit. Osasuna brought back Roberto Soldado in place of Camroonian Webo in attack. It was Osasuna's Nekounam who went close first, a stinging drive from distance forcing a fine save from Bordeaux's veteran keeper Ulrich Rame. The home side threatened again, winning a free kick only a few yards away from goal, but Jostexo Romero was wasteful with the opportunity, striking the ball into the wall. For Bordeaux, despite all the attacking players they had fielded, it was quite a cagey display, their best chance in the first half falling to Alonso, who scuffed his shot and saw it drift clear of the upright. Punal nearly put Osasuna ahead right on the stroke of half time with a decent attempt from a free kick, but Rame was equal to the shot.

The second half saw little more in the way of adventure or creativity from either side, though Girondins went close twice, Micoud with a sweet drive that just missed the top right corner and then Perea could not beat Lopez in the Osasuna goal after a Mavuba ball had put him clear. Raul Garcia came on to provide a little spark as the game headed to extra time, twice troubling Rame, but both times, the keeper was able to keep the ball out. Extra time was almost totally uneventful, both teams seemed to have accepted the fate that penalties would have brought them. Centre backs and goalkeepers alike were happy to hoof the ball away as soon as it appeared in their half, and it seemed like spot-kick drama was on the menu in Pamplona. That was until a fine ball from David Lopez found the unmarked Nekounam in the box. He turned quickly in the box, his well-timed shot beat Rame and the home crowd, understandably, went wild.

The result was a little harsh on Bordeaux, who looked like they had at least done enough to deserve a draw, but they produced all too little in the final third, in spite of all the attacking promise that their line up had indicated. Osauna were resolute in defence but will have to show a lot more attacking prowess if they are to progress any further in this competition. A tie with Glasgow's Rangers awaits them.