Second win on the bounce to keep the dream alive! (1-0)
Victory for Málaga CF against FC Cartagena, at La Rosaleda, on matchday 36 of LaLiga SmartBank. A goal from Chavarría in the first half secured the second consecutive win for the team, who move three points closer to safety.
There was a spectacular atmosphere in the stands, after an impressive welcome from the fans upon the team's arrival at Martiricos for this crucial match.
Sergio Pellicer repeated the same starting line-up as the last match which ended in a victory away from home against Villarreal B. After a quarter of an hour of back and forth, Málaga struck first. Fran Villalba's cross from the right was picked up by Cristian who assisted Chavarría to get the goal (1-0, 21'). The fifth league goal for the Argentinean and second consecutive time he opened the scoring.
The team, boosted by the goal and the support from the fans, came close to the 2-0 shortly afterwards in two actions by Rubén Castro. In 25', with a pass from striker Chavarría, and then in 27' with a shot that ex-Malaguista Aarón deflected with difficulty.
Cartagena's first dangerous arrival came in minute 30 with a header from Feuillassier that went over the crossbar. Before half-time, Esteban Burgos was shown the yellow card.
In the second half, Pellicer replaced Burgos with Ramalho. Jonas, in 49', missed out on a header into goal by mere centimetres following a lateral free kick launched by Delmás on the right. Fran Villaba, in 61', tried his luck with a powerful shot from distance. The Valencian midfielder, four minutes later, made way for Luis Muñoz.
Ramalho, in 67', avoided the visitors going level by intercepting a Darío Poveda shot from point-blank range in the area. Luis Muñoz, in minute 72 was able to score the second, culminating in a counter that touched an opponent and grazed the crossbar. In the 76th minute there was a double substitution for the Blue and Whites, with Javi Jiménez and Fran Sol coming on for Cristian and Chavarría.
In the final stretch of play, Málaga took possession of the ball from Cartagena, defending in positions closer to Aarón than to Yáñez, waiting for a quick transition. In 89', Rubén Castro left the pitch to a standing ovation as Juvenil player, Álex Calvo came on.
In stoppage time, the referee sent off Malaguista substitute goalkeeper Manolo Reina for protesting. Then in 95', La Rosaleda held its breath after a penalty in favour of Cartagena which, following a VAR review, was declared invalid for being offside in the same action.
The 1-0 final result gives the long-awaited second consecutive victory to an MCF with 36 points in the standings, and up to 19th place tied with Ponferradina. Safety is now five points away, set by Real Racing Club (+6 counting the goal average).
