The second half of the LALIGA HYPERMOTION season got underway with an Andalusian derby between Málaga CF and Córdoba CF at the Bahrain Victorious Nuevo Arcángel. More than 2,000 Malaguistas travelled to support the team in a spectacular away showing.
With 18,978 fans in the stands, both sides came into matchday 22 on strong winning runs; three in a row for Málaga and four for Córdoba. Juanfran Funes named the following starting XI: A. Herrero; C. Puga, Murillo, Einar, Rafita; D. Larrubia, Dotor, Izan M., Dani Lorenzo; Niño and Chupe.
The match got underway with great intensity both on the pitch and in the stands. Both teams looked to impose their game plan, pressing high and trying to dominate possession. The first clear chance fell to Rafita (28’), who took advantage of a move down the left flank with Chupe, drove into the box and struck powerfully. The ball flew just over Iker Álvarez’s goal.
A minute later, in the 29th minute, Málaga CF scored the opening goal. Larrubia made the most of a long ball down the right wing, getting ahead of the Córdoba centre-back and breaking into the home side’s penalty area for a one-on-one. The ‘10’ beat the goalkeeper at the near post to make it 0-1. The match went into half-time with no further notable chances.
No changes were made after the break, and the same approach continued. The second half saw the home side enjoying more possession, but Málaga CF kept threatening in search of a second goal.
In the 73rd minute, Joaquín replaced Niño, who had found the net a few minutes earlier but from an offside position. Rafa R., meanwhile, came on for Dotor in minute 82. Juanfran Funes used up his substitutions with a triple change, as Jauregi, Aaron Ochoa and Recio came on for C. Puga, Chupe and Dani Lorenzo.
After six minutes of added time, the match ended with the team’s fifth consecutive victory, moving them up to sixth place in the table with 35 points. Vamos, Málaga!