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Strange match ends in victory for SD Huesca (1-3)

Two penalties, two expulsions and various VAR interventions defined a complex match which the visitors won with goals from Ferreiro, Raba and Rafa Mir.

Football is back at Martiricos. However, things are very different. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health authorities to implement measures for the good of the health of the population. Among them is avoiding large crowds and, of course, a Málaga CF match at La Rosaleda attracts a big crowd. As such, it was a strange atmosphere this Friday at the Malaguista temple. The long-awaited return of the sport we all love was played behind closed doors, without the tireless support from the fans. The chants from the crowd were replaced by conversations between the players and the coaches’ directives from the dugout. A football noise that is only noted on very rare occasions and was preceded by a respectful minute’s silence in memory of all the victims of the disease that brought the world to a standstill.

The match became an uphill struggle for the Malaguistas very early on. Ferreiro put SD Huesca in front, surprising goalkeeper Munir with a shot at the near post, in a position very close to being offside. So much so, the play was scrutinised by VAR before granting the goal – the shot occurred in minute 2 and the scoreboard went in the visitors’ favour in minute 4 (0-1).

The Blue and Whites sought to dominate the ball and midway through the first half (25’), they found themselves at a numerical advantage. The referee sent off Juan Carlos for a hard tackle on Tete Morente. The Blue and White player escaped in a counter-attack, following clearance from the Malaguista defence of a rival corner, but was stopped in his tracks and tripped up from behind without the ball.

The Malaguistas attempted to boost their presence in the attacking half and went level in minute 41 of play. Again, Tete provoked a foul, this time inside the area, leading to the referee awarding a penalty. Sadiku converted with a low, tight shot to put the scoreboard back on an even keel (1-1).

Unfortunately for the Blue and Whites, the referee again granted a penalty just before half-time (45’), but on this occasion it was not in the locals’ favour. VAR was again used because of the dubious play, like the inaugural goal of the game. Raba was in charge of scoring from the 11-metre mark to put his team 1-2 up at the end of the first half.

In the second half, after 11 minutes both teams were down to 10 men. The referee showed the red card to Lombán for a highly protested action by those present. With 10 against 10, the pace of play settled down.

From a set piece, in 79’, Rafa Mir scored the 1-3 which became the definitive result as the referee blew the full-time whistle.