Malaga vs Villarreal finished 1-3 in LaLiga after the visitors recovered from an early deficit, scored twice before half-time, and added a late penalty through Pape Gueye.

Match Summary

Malaga went in front at La Rosaleda through Carlos Dotor after 12 minutes, Juan Cruz with the assist. The hosts still led as the first half entered its closing stretch, with José Salinas already in the book from the 34th minute.

Villarreal then turned the match in a short spell. Alberto Moleiro leveled in the 40th minute from an Ilias Akhomach Chakkour assist. Ilias Akhomach Chakkour was booked two minutes later. Pape Gueye scored on 45 minutes after Ayoze Pérez set him up, and the visitors went into half-time ahead.

The second half did not bring Malaga back into it. Yellow cards for David Larrubia, Einar Galilea, Ramón Enríquez and Alfonso Herrero stacked up as the home side pushed. Carlos Romero had a Villarreal effort ruled out in the 82nd minute. Gueye converted a penalty in the 86th minute to complete the 1-3 scoreline.

Key Moments

Malaga's early lead lasted until late in the first half, but it never became a platform. Two Villarreal goals before the interval forced the hosts to chase after the break, and they never found a second goal.

The effort ruled out in the 82nd minute left Villarreal only a goal in front with time still to play. The penalty that followed four minutes later removed that remaining doubt and gave the visitors a two-goal cushion.

Five yellow cards for Malaga, several of them after the hour, showed a side stretching for an equalizer that never came. Villarreal collected only one caution all match.

Match Statistics

Villarreal controlled territory and chance creation. They held 63 percent possession to Malaga's 37 and outshot the hosts 16 to 5, putting seven attempts on target against a single Malaga shot on target. Corners went 8-4 to the visitors. There were no red cards. Malaga received five yellow cards and Villarreal one.

What the Result Means

After five matches in La Liga, Malaga sit 18th with three points and a goal difference of minus six. Their last five games have brought three draws and two losses. Villarreal are 19th with two points and a goal difference of minus three, one point behind Malaga, with two draws and three losses in their last five.

See also

• Malaga vs Villarreal live score
• AltBets live scores
• AltBets tips
• Match recaps