Onyewu and Santa Cruz scored the two early goals, putting the visitors on the leader board. However the locals equalised before the half-time whistle, with goals from Jaraiz and Chapi. Manuel Pellegrini’s men scored another two goals in the second half, Duda scoring a penalty as a result of a foul on Seba, and another goal by Santa Cruz, to see the Blue and Whites leading by 2-4.
Málaga Club de Fútbol had a very different team line-up for this match at the Príncipe Felipe. Reserve player Jurado was called-up, making his official debut with the first team.
The visitors opened the scoring only minutes after kick off. A goal from Onyewu following a pass from Duda saw Málaga CF a goal up in the 4th minute. Impressive play from Seba led to goal number two from Santa Cruz for Málaga Club de Fútbol. A Duda free kick and a Weligton header were close to achieving goal number three for the Blue and Whites.
Club Polideportivo Cacereño showed a good attacking display during the first half and were determined to equalise. Goals from Jaraiz and Chapi before half-time put the score board level.
There were few surprises at the start of the second half. Álex Portillo made his official debut, substituting Jurado. The Blue and Whites again took the reigns of the match with promising play by Seba following a long ball from Buonanotte. A foul by local keeper Vargas saw him sent off, and a penalty awarded to the visitors. Duda took the penalty from 11 metres away, putting Málaga CF in the lead by 2-3.
With the locals having just ten men on the pitch, Manuel Pellegrini’s team continued to dominate the match. Another goal from Santa Cruz put them 2-4 ahead, with the Paraguay-born player taking advantage of a pass from Seba who took charge of a long ball from Diego Buonanotte. A fantastic save by Kameni prevented a Weligton own goal, however a late header from Esteve found the back of the net, ending the match with a 3-4 win for Málaga.
Málaga Club de Fútbol has the advantage following this first leg win, with the second leg taking place on 28th November at La Rosaleda.
MATCH STATS: CP CACEREÑO 3 – MÁLAGA CF 4
CP Cacereño: Vargas; Palero, Carrizosa, Juli Ferrer, Toni; Jaraiz, Santi Amaro (Manolo, 73’), Checa, Chapi; Rafa Gómez (Fuentes, 58’) and Matías Saad (Esteve, 61’).
Málaga CF: Kameni; Jurado (Álex Portillo, 46’), Onyewu, Weligton, Eliseu (Juanmi, 73’); Seba, Recio, Iturra, Duda; Buonanotte and Santa Cruz (Fabrice, 75’).
Goals
0-1 (4’): Onyewu.
0-2 (20’): Santa Cruz.
1-2 (36’): Jaraiz.
2-2 (42’): Chapi.
2-3 (58’): Duda (p.).
2-4 (70’): Santa Cruz.
3-4 (86’): Esteve.
Referee
Mateu Lahoz (Valencia). Yellow cards were awarded to local players; Carrizosa and Checa (50’), and Málaga CF’s Onyewu (62’) and Álex Portillo (83’).
Information
First leg knock-out match of the Copa del Rey, held at the Príncipe Felipe Stadium.
