Pandiani seals win

The Uruguay striker, who moved from Depor to English Premier League Birmingham City a year ago before joining Espanyol last month, scored from seven metres after a Luis Garcia shot rebounded into his path in the final minute at Montjuic.

In the other semi-final played on Wednesday, Argentine Diego Milito hit four goals as Real Zaragoza demolished Real Madrid 6-1 at La Romareda.

It was Real Madrid's heaviest defeat in seven years. The second leg against Zaragoza takes place at the Bernabeu next Tuesday.

Depor, who beat Valencia in the quarter-finals thanks to two disputed penalties, were awarded another controversial spot kick against Espanyol.

The referee pointed to the spot when Angel Arizmendi went down as he challenged Espanyol defender Albert Lopo, and striker Ruben Castro sent keeper Gorka Iraizoz the wrong way to put the visitors 1-0 up in the fifth minute.

Espanyol, who gave a toothless display when they lost 4-0 to Real Madrid at the weekend, equalised early in the second half when Luis Garcia converted another penalty after Depor defender Jorge Andrade was harshly adjudged to have handled.

The hosts were given another break on 59 minutes when Depor defender Fabricio Coloccini was sent off for kicking out at Jofre in midfield.

The date for the Depor-Espanyol return will not be decided until after the Catalans have played the second leg of their UEFA Cup last-32 tie against Schalke 04 on Feb. 23.