A frenetic start to the match at La Rosaleda, with the first three minutes shaping the remainder of the game. The first shot by Rondón after just 10 seconds, followed with Isco in play, leading to a tackle with Francis, saw a red card for the Santander defender and a Málaga penalty. Racing were left with 10 men for the rest of the match. Santi Cazorla took the penalty, which was saved by keeper Mario Fernández, leading to a corner.
The Racing keeper played a major part in the first few minutes of the match, saving other shots at goal by Málaga. The Blue and Whites were constantly on the attack, including a powerful distance shot from Maresca. Rondón, Isco and Seba created the most danger for the visitors.
Racing did try to prevent the Málaga domination of the match, providing a near miss for Kameni, who staged a remarkable intervention in the first part of the game.
The first goal for the local side came thanks to the usual quality game play, starting in midfield, moving to the right of the pitch, then to Isco on the left, who made an impressive shot into the top right corner of the net. Málaga were one goal up in the 22nd minute of the game, which led to a less intense attacking strategy, but still maintaining ball possession, preventing the Cantabrian side from an early equaliser.
There were further opportunities for Málaga in the remainder of the first half, starting with Cazorla and Isco in midfield with Monreal and Gámez on the wings, and a fantastic attacking display by Rondón, Seba Fernández and Maresca. After 45 minutes the Blue and Whites were ahead by 1-0.
A bad start to the second half for Racing: keeper Mario Fernández was injured, and substituted by Sostres. Málaga had another chance to convert an impressive shot by Cazorla into a goal, but a save on the goal line by Cisma ensured the score board remained the same.
After an hour’s game play, Málaga found what they’d been looking for in the entire match: a second goal. A great shot by Cazorla, preceded by impressive game play from Maresca who lined up the ball for the Asturian midfielder, saw Cazorla shoot right past Sostres after a face to face encounter, to score his seventh goal of the season, and move the locals to two goals up in the 64th minute.
The rest of the goal chances, although less frequent than in the first half, were completely dominated by Málaga, following the introduction of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was close to scoring the hat trick for the home side. Málaga knew they had to maintain possession till the end of the match to prevent any attempt at goal from Racing, and to seal their victory.
However the best striker of the last decade didn’t lose another chance to score, and after holding on to the ball, despite being surrounded, passing to the left to find Duda, then a fantastic header from the Dutchman resulted in Málaga’s third goal of the match in the 84th minute, and another victory in La Rosaleda.
Following this win against Racing de Santander, the 15th this season, Málaga Club de Fútbol are in third place in the BBVA League, with 50 points.
Match statistics
Málaga CF: Kameni; Jesús Gámez, Mathijsen, Weligton, Monreal; Isco, Demichelis, Maresca, Cazorla; Seba Fernández (Ruud van Nistelrooy 60’) and Rondón (Duda 74’).
Real Racing Club de Santander: Mario Fernández; Francis, Torrejón, Bernardo, D. Cisma; Luque (Osmar 23’), P. Diop, Edu Bedía, Adrián; Kennedy (Munitis 65’) and Stuani.
Goals:
1-0 (22’): Isco
2-0 (64’): Cazorla
3-0 (84’): Van Nistelrooy
Referee:
Del Cerro Grande, Madrid: Yellow cards given to Málaga’s Isco, Mathisjen and Demichelis; and from the visitors, Diop and Cisma; and a red card for Francis.
Information:
The 32nd BBVA League match, held in La Rosaleda Stadium in Málaga.