AMSTERDAM/VIENNA, Nov 30 (SW) - Espanyol defeated Ajax in UEFA Cup Group F on Thursday to send both themselves and idle Zulte-Waregem through to the Round of 32. Ajax still need a point to qualify after Sparta Prague won at Austria Wien.

Ajax - Espanyol 0-2
The match was all Ajax for most of the first half as Espanyol goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz made many key saves, but the Catalans stunned their hosts in the 36th minute when Walter Pandiani headed home from close range.

Ajax again were the stronger side after the break, but Iraizoz continued his fine form to keep the Dutch side out of the net, and it paid off as Ferrán Corominas struck the insurance goal home in the 78th minute after Pandiani's initial shot was saved by Maarten Stekelenburg.

Austria Wien - Sparta Prague 0-1
Sparta needed a win to keep alive their hopes of qualification, but they will be praying for a heavy Ajax defeat in their last game as they have played their four group games.

Tomas Repka fired the visitors in front after just 11 minutes when he turned a corner kick by Miroslav Matusovic into the Austria net, and Jan Simak nearly doubled the lead 20 minutes later when his free kick was saved by Szabolcs Safar.

Sparta held out for the final 45 minutes to ensure the victory and they will now need Ajax to lose by at least five goals in their final match to go through.