In the initial stages of play, both sides attempted to dominate possession in midfield. The local tried to make dangerous approaches to the Malaguista area, but the Blue and Whites’ defence prevented the rival’s intentions.
In the 12th minute of play, Diego Rolan generated a promising opportunity to open the scoring, but an error in footwork saw the player slip whilst launching his shot inside the area. A minute later, in 13’, Sevilla FC remembered Malaguista goalkeeper, José Antonio Gallardo, on the scoreboards at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. As usual, 120 seconds later, tribute was also paid to Sevilla’s Antonio Puerta.
Ricca was forced to abandon the field of play as he sustained injury and was substituted by Juanpi in minute 23, which varied Malaguista coach, Míchel’s system of play. The heat was certainly a factor in the first half, with the referee stopping play for a cooling break in minute 24.
Meanwhile, Juanpi searched for the goal in the 39th minute from the edge of the area, but his shot went just centimetres from the near post. The clearest chance for Málaga arrived in the final stages of the first half (44’). Mula tried his luck from afar, forcing Soria to show off his reflexes as the ball hit the wood on the left. The action unleashed a corner that Recio served up to the heart of the area, but Esteban Rolón didn’t connect well with a header and the result remained at 0-0 at half-time.
In the second half, the Blue and Whites stepped up their attack. They organised several approaches to the rival area. Captain Recio sent out a warning with a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target in 58’. Five minutes later, homegrown player, Mula again tried his luck, but was met by the Sevilla keeper again. Sevilla attempted to respond, but Malaguista goalkeeper, Roberto deflected a strong shot by Correa with a superb save.
Subsequently, Sevilla’s Correa was brought down by Rosales inside the area and the referee awarded a penalty in favour of the locals. Banega adjusted the shot and the ball sailed into the side of the net, leaving little for Roberto to do (1-0, minute 68). With barely any time to react, Muriel overcame the Blue and Whites’ defence and increased the lead to 2-0 in the 70th minute that would ultimately be the final result.
