Both teams held a minute’s silence before the start of the match in memory of those who died in the Chapecoense plane crash.
Córdoba came out stronger in the first few minutes of the match. The Green and Whites enjoyed three opportunities in the early stages, but all were dismantled by Denys Boyko who was in goal for Málaga CF for the first time this season. Duda tried but Razak carefully deflected the ball whic was cleared by the Córdobes defense. The clearest moment for Juande Ramos’ team arrived in minute 25, when Juanpi and Michael Santos connected with a great pass and with which the Uruguayan forward met with the Córdoba goalkeeper. The ‘Malacitano’ team won a few metres on the pitch and took advantage with a double chance – the first by Ontiveros and the second by Pablo, but both were cleared by Razak. Málaga would have one more opportunity in the first half. This time it was by Juankar who ran half way up the pitch to plant it at the edge of the box. His shot was ultimately also deflected by the Green and Whites’ keeper.
The second half started with a more offensive Córdoba. The home side had various opportunities but none of them saw the goal. For Málaga, Pablo had a great chance to sneak into the Córdobes goal after bouncing off a rival defender. Juande Ramos put on En-Nesyri in place of Ontoveros. The international Moroccan teamed up with Santos to give more bite to the attack. The Malagueños nearly managed to move forward on the scoreboard half way through this half, but were unable to finish it off due to an inside pass from Duda.
Minutes later, it was Córdoba who returned to the attack, and thanks to Rodri, scored the first goal of the match (1-0, 71’). Boyko was able to clear the first shot but the second one crept passed Málaga’s keeper and ended up just on the base of the left pole. Juande moved again to shake-up the bench. Chory Castro went on in place of Juanpi. En-Nesyri was on a few minuets later. Then shortly afterwards, came the second goal from Córdoba with a frontal shot from Borja Domínguez (2-0, 83’). The match ended this way, without a prize for Málaga’s efforts.
