Both teams were well-positioned on the pitch. Granada were seeking victory to remain in the fight to avoid relegation, whilst Málaga had the clear objective of achieving their second win away from home this season. The Blue and Whites struck first. Keko arrived just in time to launch a promising pass from the left, whilst Camacho put Ochoa to the test with a shot in front of the area. Míchel’s team dominated the initial stages of play. In minute 11, Granada made their first arrival, leading to a good clearance by Camacho. Málaga continued to approach with more danger. Recio was at the point of netting a goal with a powerful ball followed by a shallow shot straight afterwards from the edge of the area. Málaga’s chances continued. Luis Muñoz from the right propelled a superb ball towards Sandro, but he didn’t get there on time to finish. Carcela was shown the first yellow card of the match after 27 minutes. Calm prevailed until the 39th minute, when Juankar came close to taking advantage of a pass from the defence. Ochoa exited and Juankar unleashed a high shot with his right foot. The first 45 minutes ended with a goalless draw, although Málaga showed a clear dominance and generated scoring opportunities.
The second half kicked off with a substitution for Granada. Héctor came off and was replaced by Gastón Silva. Two minutes into the second half, the first Málaga goal arrived. Sandro, again with a fantastic right footer from outside the area, opened the scoring, the 11th LaLiga goal for the Canaries-born striker. Wakaso was shown the second yellow card of the game for bringing down Juankar, when the winger was positioned on the left wing. Tony Adams made another change. Aly stepped on to the pitch in place of Wakaso. Kameni was forced to give his all 20 minutes into the second half to save a good shot by Khrin. Míchel refreshed his team with the entrance of Duda for Keko in minute 67. Juankar abandoned play due to injury 17 minutes before the final whistle, with Demichelis coming on in his place. Adams made his third and final substitution, with Cuenca making way for Ponce. Sandro missed out on a second goal by a whisker. An assist from Recio set up a shot for the Blue and Whites’ top scorer, but the ball hit the post. Míchel made his final change. Recio left the field of play to a standing ovation, and Ontiveros joined the match in minute 86. The Marbella-born winger assisted the goal man, Sandro, who was unforgiving and unmarked in front of Ochoa. At 0-2, the result was sealed. The second away win of the season and another year (10th consecutive) in the First Division.
