The match between the ‘Castellonenses’ and ‘Malaguistas’ got underway with immediate intense game play from Villarreal, who demonstrated the importance of this game for them from the start. Málaga put pressure from the top to gain possession from the Yellows, which saw the match open up and create the first goal opportunities. A powerful distance shot from Senna went long and hit the crossbar in Kameni’s goal area.
The home side took the initiative with a strong attacking display and tightened up on possession, though not creating any real danger for Málaga, thanks to their impressive midfield defence.
Málaga’s first chance at goal came from a Rondón header, set up from a Duda free kick in the first 15 minutes of play, which led to improved ball control for the visitors, and an increase in possession creating danger for the locals. As the match went on, there was less activity in the penalty areas, with the majority of play taking place in midfield. It was Málaga who kept on the attack for the last 10 minutes of the first half, mainly Isco and Cazorla, but they couldn’t get past keeper Diego López to be first on the score board, resulting in a 0-0 draw after 45 minutes.
The second half started in much the same way, with Málaga dominating possession, as well as another shot at goal in the first minute. However despite both teams increasing their attacking force, neither goalkeeper had to intervene.
The game turned around for Málaga after the first hour, thanks to a fantastic goal from Santi Cazorla in the 64th minute, easing a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net, straight past Diego López. Cazorla received a standing ovation from El Madrigal crowd, which he didn’t celebrate, out of respect for his former team.
With the visitors one goal up on the leader board, Villarreal made their substitutions, leading to a more powerful attack, as well as stronger counter-attacks against Málaga, who had another near miss thanks to Seba Fernández.
The entire course of the game changed in the 80th minute: a long ball to Hernán Pérez led to Kameni being sent off, after he pushed the Villarreal player within the goal area. Referee Álvarez Izquierdo gave the Málaga keeper a red card.
Marcos Senna took the penalty for the locals. Rubén, who came on the pitch as the third Málaga substitution following Kameni’s expulsion, couldn’t save the powerful shot into goal. With 10 minutes remaining, and spurred on by their fans, Villarreal continued the search for another goal, an action which was mirrored by the Blue and Whites.
Luck stayed with the home team, and in the last few seconds of stoppage time, a goal kick from the Málaga keeper following a corner, landed at the feet of Hernán Pérez, who drove a long shot into the back left corner of the net, straight through the Málaga defence. This triggered euphoria from the local fans at El Madrigal at the Yellow’s victory.
The final result was a defeat for Málaga by 2-1, leaving them in fourth position with 50 points in the BBVA League, with 32 matches played.
Match statistics
Villarreal CF: Diego López; Catalá, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Zapata; Senna, Bruno; Borja Valero, Matinuccio, Camuñas; Marco Ruben.
Málaga CF: Kameni; Sergio Sánchez, Weligton, Mathijsen, Monreal; Cazorla, Camacho; Duda (Seba Fernandez 65’), Eliseu, Isco; Rondón (Van Nistelrooy 70’).
Goals:
0-1 (64’): Cazorla.
1-1 (83’): Senna (p.)
2-1 (93’): Hernán Pérez
Referee:
Álvarez Izquierdo, (Catalán Academy): Yellow cards were awarded to Málaga’s Duda, Eliseu and Camacho; as well as a red card for goalkeeper Kameni.
Information:
33rd BBVA League match, held in El Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal.
