The Nuevo San Ignacio, featuring a good crowd, hosted this match where only a win would do for Atlético Malagueño to get through to the next round. Funes selected the following starting-11: Gonzalo, Mati, Murillo, Quintana, Eu, Víctor Olmo, Mini ©, Juan Cruz, Kevin, Julio and Vicario. Andrés, Larrubia, Camacho and Mike also played.

Malagueño enjoyed a fantastic first half. In the opening stages, an individual action from Juan Cruz and a goal from the number ‘10’ (0-1, 1’). After the half-hour mark, Juan Cruz launched a lateral free kick that was headed into goal by Quintana (0-2, 35’). The team went on to score again from a lethal counter-attack driven by Kevin, who assisted Vicario to net goal number three before half-time (0-3, 40’).

The pace of play decelerated somewhat in the second half. The locals attempted to react with more heart than football, whilst Malagueño remained solid with the confidence their considerable lead gave them. Local coach, Fernando Porto made some changes and one of them, Cazorla, narrowed the gap for El Palo (1-3, 68’).

In the final stages the referee sent off Mati with a rigorous double yellow card (80’), leaving Funes’ team down to 10 men. Just before the end of normal time, a penalty was awarded to the locals due to a (dubious) Eu hand ball in the area. Javi López’ shot was saved by Gonzalo; yet in the clearance, López scored at close-range (2-3, 90’).

Stoppage time was heart-stopping. Although Malagueño managed the time well, in 94’ El Palo had a clear opportunity to go level that was destroyed with a Gonzalo save, avoiding a tie and elimination.

At the full-time whistle, the Malaguistas’ 2-3 win takes them to the semi-finals of the promotion playoffs to Segunda RFEF. The next round, also just one match, is away from home and only a victory will do to reach the final. Malagueño are up against Torredonjimeno.

Photos: Carlos Guerrero