Tristan's goal-den touch lifts La Coruna

Spanish international striker Diego Tristan followed up his hat-trick for Deportivo La Coruna in last weekend's league match by netting the only goal in their 1-0 Champions League Group D victory over Swiss outfit Basel.

The 26-year-old's fourth minute strike lifted La Coruna above Basel in the table and put them equal with Juventus on four points, giving the Spaniards real hope of reaching the last eight for the third successive season.

Tristan, who replaced Albert Luque in the starting line-up from last week's defeat by Basel, struck early to continue his remarkable scoring touch with his second goal of the campaign.

Controlling Hector Berenguel's cross, he shot past Pascal Zuberbuhler to give the hosts the start they needed.

Basel showed why they had breezed past Liverpool in the opening group phase by reacting with three chances to level in the next four minutes but saw two fly over the bar and Juanmi make a flying save from Basel's Spanish midfielder Carlos Varela.

There were precious few other chances during the first period despite the match being end-to-end stuff, but the arrival of Pedro Amavisca at half-time for Deportivo's injured skipper Fran sparked the hosts into life.

It was Amavisca, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 1998, who forced Zuberbuhler into his first real save of the second-half as he shot from 30 metres out in the 62nd minute.

Deportivo's Dutch international striker Roy Makaay let rip with a shot three minutes later after being released by Sergio but again Zuberbuhler was equal to the task.

Amavisca then turned provider as his slide rule pass split the Basel defence but Zuberbuhler raced from his goal to deprive Makaay of the ball.

However even when Zuberbuhler was caught out the hosts couldn't seal the match as Luque, who had replaced Makaay midway thorugh the second-half, rounded the keeper but with the goal gaping he slipped.