Málaga eliminate Barça and advance to quarter finals (0-1)
The Blue and White Juvenil ‘A’ team has qualified to the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey juveniles, after beating FC Barcelona away from home with a penalty from Álex Calvo in stoppage time.
Malaguista coach Luis Bueno’s starting-11 saw Andrés in goal; Plaza and Samu on the wings with Omar and Benito on the central line; Izan Merino in midfield, and Manu de la Lama and Contreras on the inside; Rafita and captain Álex Calvo on the wings and Rubén upfront.
Málaga CF were well-positioned on pitch number 7 of FC Barcelona’s Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper, against a very powerful opponent full of talented players and the favourites to go through the round of 16 single-match tie.
Alarcón, who recently made his first steps with the first team under Xavi, had the best option for Barcelona in the first half with a goal that was disallowed for being offside in 20'. At half-time the scoreboard was 0-0.
In the second half, in 61’, the referee sent off local player Lamine, leaving Barça down to 10 men. Despite the odd chance for both sides, equality prevailed until the end of normal time.
Then in extra time came MCF’s great moment. The lads were awarded a penalty which Álex Calvo converted (0-1, 104'). Fran, a Malaguista who came off the bench during the game, was sent off in 117'. Barça insisted but Luis Bueno's men held on stoically, achieving a highly deserving qualification to the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey Juvenil.
