The match, after some initial back and forth, soon went the way of José González’s team. Adrián, with a superb shot in Rulli’s area, put Málaga in the lead (1-0, 11’). The visitors gained possession, and Januzaj, on the right profile of the attack, was the most active player. In minute 23, Canales sent an indirect free kick over Roberto’s crossbar.
A third of the way through the match, Iturra was shown the yellow card, which carries sanction, being his fifth of the season. Shortly afterwards, an excellent cross from Chory on the left allowed En-Nesyri to take advantage with a close-range shot to score the second goal of the game (2-0, 35’). The Malaguistas imposed their effectiveness in combinative play, without any depth from the visitors in the first half.
In the second half, Keko came on in place of Chory as the first Malaguista substitution. In the 50th minute of play, a pass from the newly-incorporated player to Lestienne gave the Belgian a clear chance for a counter-attack, that was stopped by Rulli. The second Málaga substitution came in minute 53, with Diego González replacing team captain, Miguel Torres in defence on the left. Zurutuza, in 59’ could have clawed one back with a cross shot that went near the right post.
As the second half progressed, Real sought out a goal to put them in the game against a solid MCF in defence. However, the visitors from San Sebastián barely disturbed Roberto’s goal area, except for an isolated action from set pieces. Januzaj, following a good slalom, tried his luck in the 78th minute. At the same time, Ideye joined the match in place of Lestienne who received a standing ovation.
In the closing stages, the outfit from Guipúzcoa kept insisting, but without any success or precision in the final metres. On the counter-attack, in 89’, the home side narrowly missed out on a third goal thanks to a good run from Keko and a header by En-Nesyri that went out. At the final whistle the scoreboard showed a 2-0 victory for Málaga CF, and three points scored at home to total 20 in LaLiga.
