Málaga CF arrived at the Gran Canaria stadium with both Amrabat and Charles absent, and the addition of Chory Castro to the starting-11, who made his debut wearing the Blue and Whites’ shirt only a few days after he joined the ‘Malaguistas’.
The first half was fairly balanced without any major goal opportunities for either side. The best chance for Málaga CF was from a Recio free kick in minute 11, deflected by goalkeeper, Javi Varas and then Cop missed the target as the ball went high.
Camacho for the Blue and Whites, and Roque Mesa for the local team were both shown the yellow card during the first 45 minutes, leaving everything to be decided in the second half.
The saying ‘when you forgive you pay’ in football nearly always comes true. A cross from Chory on the left in minute 49 set up a header for Santa Cruz to claim the first goal of the match, but the ball went wide. However, it was the home side who got the glory just a minute later. Tana ploughed the ball into the back of the net with a good shot from in front of the area to put the Yellows in the lead.
Another lesson is that football always gives you a second chance, and Roque had one tonight. The Paraguayan-born striker lost the ball, but following an impressive combinative display with Duje Cop, he compensated for his first missed chance and equalised in minute 72.
Málaga CF could have claimed the match in the final minutes of play, but struggled to close the tie. The Blue and Whites have earned another point in their 7th LaLiga match without defeat, ending the first round of the competition with 24 points.
