Espanyol move one step closer to UEFA Cup final

Espanyol 3 Werder Bremen 0

Espanyol moved a step closer to their second ever UEFA final appearance with an impressive win over German side Werder Bremen in the semi-final first leg at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday night.

Moises Hurtado, Walter Pandiani and substitute Fernando Corominas scored the goals for the Catalans, finalists back in 1988, as Werder finished the game with 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Tim Wiese after 57 minutes.

De La Pena almost put Espanyol three goals ahead after 68 minutes, but sent his powerful shot just over the bar.

Bremen were not out of it yet, though, and Diego’s cross-shot went just wide of Gorka’s far post.

But the home side continued to dominate and Lacruz shot just over after 76 minutes from 35 yards.

Reinke then got down well to save Rufete’s low shot.

Rufete then left the pitch to a standing ovation, as Pandiani and De La Pena had done minutes earlier.

Those supporters soon had more to cheer about when Espanyol scored a late third goal after 88 minutes.