After being instrumental in CD Numancia's first ever La Liga promotion in 1999, Moreno returned to Alavés, shooting to prominence during his second spell after playing a pivotal role in their run to the 2001 UEFA Cup final. Along the way, defeated were the likes of Gaziantepspor, Lillestrøm SK, Rosenborg BK, Inter Milan, fellow league club Rayo Vallecano and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, before an eventual 4–5 extra time loss to Liverpool in the decisive match, where he scored two goals in three minutes (he also finished the league season with 22 successful strikes, good enough for third).