Saturday's final La Liga fixture pitted Malaga against Sevilla at La Rosaleda.
The home side took a one-goal lead into the interval following a successful penalty from Duda.
Sevilla were level in the early stages of the second through Carlos Bacca, before Federico Fazio sent the away side ahead with a header after 66 minutes.
Samuel levelled with a spectacular effort for Malaga 13 minutes from time, however, before Duda won it late on for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Sevilla. The home side have lost three of their last five games in the league, with that run of form leaving them in 16th position. As it stands, they are just two points outside of the bottom three with 17 matches remaining.
Sevilla, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat in eight games at home to Levante last time out. However, three points this evening would move them just two points from the top six. Their away form has been much improved this season with three wins from their 11 matches, losing just three times in the process.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Malaga have won two of the last five matches, with Sevilla winning once and the further two fixtures ending in draws. The pair have already shared the points in a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Ramon this season and the points were also shared in this stadium in the corresponding match last season.
TEAMS:
MALAGA: Caballero; Gamez, Sanchez, Flavio, Antunes; Camacho, Tissone; Amrabat, Duda, Eliseu; Juanmi
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Pareja, F. Navarro, Moreno; Reyes, Fazio, Iborra, Vitolo; Rakitic; Bacca
So there we have it. The big news in the Malaga XI is that new signing Nordin Amrabat makes his debut, but Spanish forward Samuel is on the bench. Sevilla, meanwhile, leave Kevin Gameiro on the sidelines, with Carlos Bacca leading their line with support from skipper Ivan Rakitic. Right, the home side get the first 45 minutes underway on this mild evening in Malaga.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, which is not much of a surprise. It has all the makings for an entertaining fixture. As mentioned, Amrabat is in the Malaga XI this evening after completing his loan move from Galatasaray on Friday...
.@NAmrabat53 en su presentación como malaguista junto a Moayad Shatat. #MCFLive pic.twitter.com/ZE7eKtCiJ8
— Málaga CLUBdeFÚTBOL (@MalagaCF) January 30, 2014
It has been a bright start from the home side with Juanmi and new signing Amrabat combining down the right, but Fazio is on hand to clear inside his own box. Sevilla enjoy a period of possession moments later, but Reyes is crowded out of possession in his own half. High intensity with four minutes on the clock at La Rosaleda.
Malaga continue to force the issue in the early exchanges as Duda stands over a set piece on the left. His delivery is towards the near post, but Beto comes out to claim. Malaga can take confidence from their recent results against Sevilla...
4 - Malaga are unbeaten in four league meetings with Sevilla (W2 D2), not losing to them since 2011 (2-1). Difficult.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 1, 2014
Sevilla's first opportunity to break comes down the right as Bacca carries possession into the Malaga half before looking for Reyes, but Caballero is out to claim at the vital moment. No real chances for either side in the opening eight minutes, but the signs are good with both prepared to commit numbers in the final third.
Plenty of possession for Malaga as they continue to pass and probe in the Sevilla half, but the away side are compact in defensive areas. It must be said that the pitch is in perfect condition this evening, which will suit Sevilla, who certainly like to get the ball down and play.
Just a few signs that Sevilla are starting to warm to their task as Bacca twice breaks beyond the Malaga defence, but the offside flag saves the home side. Malaga continue to enjoy plenty of the ball, but have failed to test Beto in the Sevilla goal in the opening 13 minutes of this La Liga clash.
CHANCE! Golden chance for Sevilla to take the lead as Coke finds Reyes inside the box, but the Spaniard is denied by a fine save from Caballero. The pass to Vitolo was on, but the winger decided to go alone. It was the wrong decision.
There seems to be plenty of space in wide areas this evening, but neither side has looked for that avenue on too many occasions. Sevilla have started to look the more threatening on the counter, with Malaga struggling to really test the Sevilla defence. Still goalless after 17 minutes.
Amrabat has struggled to influence proceedings on his Malaga debut thus far with Sevilla defending in numbers. Juanmi meets a deep cross from Duda moments later inside the Sevilla box, but Fazio clears under pressure from Tissone. Just the one clear chance inside 20 minutes, but the intensity remains high.
CHANCE! Malaga's first real chance falls to Antunes as the left-back strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Two incredibly well-matched teams on display at the moment.
Rakitic is almost playing alongside Bacca at the moment as Sevilla continue to force the issue on the counter. The referee has been involved in the last couple of moments, however, to deal with a series of late challenges in the middle of the park.
Half-chance for the home side as Juanmi finds some space outside the box before attempting to test Beto, but Fazio is on hand to make a fine block. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
It must be said that the home supporters are creating a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as their side continue to threaten. Two corners in quick succession are delivered by Duda, but Fazio and Navarro take it in turns to clear the danger. Still goalless, but it is an entertaining fixture.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with Sevilla defender Coke entering the book for a foul on Duda. The Malaga skipper goes for goal from the resulting set piece, but Beto makes a smart save at his near post.
PENALTY TO MALAGA!
Malaga are awarded a penalty as Coke is penalised for tripping Duda inside the box. It was a clumsy challenge from the Spanish defender. The Malaga skipper will take.
GOAL! Malaga 1-0 Sevilla (Duda, pen)
Duda steps up and sends his penalty into the bottom corner. Beto guessed the correct way, but just could not make enough contact.
Well, that has changed the atmosphere inside the stadium. The home side are desperately close to the relegation zone at the moment, but three points this evening would five them some breathing space. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Sevilla just need to be a little bit careful here as the away side continue to make a number of late challenges. Alberto Moreno is the latest name to enter the book for a late, high tackle on Camacho. In truth, it would be a surprise if all 22 players remained on the field for the whole 90 minutes.
Penalty shout for Sevilla as Vitolo goes down inside the box. However, instead of awarding the penalty, the referee books the Sevilla winger for simulation. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, with Malaga leading 1-0.
Malaga appear intent on scoring a second before the interval as they continue to force the issue in the final third, with Duda their main source. The skipper delivers a low cross towards Juanmi, but Beto is on hand to collect at the vital moment.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Bacca leads a counter attack before attempting to turn Gamez inside the box, but the Spaniard stands firm to make the challenge. Both sides have defended well in the opening half, with Duda's penalty the difference. However, I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
Eliseu has a half-chance for the home side as he meets a cross from Tissone, but the Portuguese can only turn into the arms of Beto from close range. Sevilla are down the other end with Vitolo, but once more the move breaks down when Moreno heads into the arms of Caballero.
HALF TIME: Malaga 1-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Malaga leading 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Duda after 31 minutes. Sevilla have had their moments on the counter, but have too often lacked the elusive pass in the final third.
STATISTICS: Malaga have shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had six attempts to Sevilla's one. However, both have registered one attempt on target. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing five yellow cards thus far.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Portillo, Perez, Morales and Samuel. Meanwhile, Sevilla have the likes of Gameiro, Cheryshev and Cristoforo in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Malaga would jump into 13th position, four points clear of the bottom three. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway. Can Sevilla respond?
Two changes for the away side at the interval with Kevin Gameiro and Figueiras entering the field in place of Reyes and Coke, with the latter on a yellow card. No changes from Malaga, which is not much of a surprise based on their showing in the opening 45 minutes.
GOAL! Malaga 1-1 Sevilla (Bacca)
Bacca takes his league tally to 10 for the season as the forward collects a through pass from Vitolo before slotting into the bottom corner. Just brilliant from the away side.
Well, that has changed the atmosphere inside the stadium! Suddenly everyone in a red shirt wants the ball with Rakitic dropping into a deeper position in the early stages of this half. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. Not with the way that both sides continue to attack.
Gameiro has certainly made a difference to the Sevilla attack, with Bacca having more space to operate in the final third. Malaga just cannot keep the ball at the moment and when they do, Sevilla close the space in the final third. The visitors look the better team with 55 minutes on the clock at La Rosaleda.
Sevilla want a penalty as Fazio goes down inside the box, but the flag had been raised for offside. The away side continue to force the issue in the final third through Rakitic, but the Croatian's through pass is gathered by Caballero at the vital moment.
CHANCE! How often does Caballero save Malaga? That is once more the case as the Argentine denies Vitolo from close range with a smart save. It falls to Moreno moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Half-chance for the home side as Duda finds some space down the left before delivering a cross towards Eliseu, but Navarro is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but Fazio rises to clear the danger. Good pressure from Malaga, who have been second best since the interval. Little under 30 minutes remaining at La Rosaleda.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pareja fells Duda just outside the box. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Juanmi, but Beto is on hand to collect. Not too much from Sevilla in the last few moments, but they remain a threat on the counter attack.
CHANCE! Sevilla come close to taking the lead as Rakitic strikes one from 30 yards, but it just moves wide of the post. That would have been one of the goals of the season. Moments later, Malaga make their first change as Samuel replaces the injured Eliseu.
GOAL! Malaga 1-2 Sevilla (Fazio)
Sevilla take the lead with little more than 20 minutes remaining as Fazio heads a Rakitic free kick into the bottom corner. Stunning leap from the centre-back.
Malaga look for the immediate response as Tissone carries the ball into the Sevilla half before striking towards goal, but Fazio makes a fine block. Malaga have a free kick moments later when Moreno fells Duda, but the resulting set piece is claimed by Beto.
Another half-chance for Tissone as the Argentine finds some space on the edge of the box before striking on goal, but Beto is on hand to make the save. Sevilla just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the pressure continues from the home side. However, moments later, Rakitic fires just wide of Caballero's post.
Tissone continues to threaten Beto with an effort from distance, but the Sevilla stopper makes another save. Malaga respond by making two changes with Tissone and Juanmi replaced by El Hamdaoui and Perez.
End-to-end football in the last few moments with Sevilla a threat on the counter. However, Malaga are dominating proceedings with a series of long balls into the box. Sevilla make their third and final change moments later as Cheryshev replaces Vitolo.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park. Iborra becomes the latest name to enter the book, but the resulting free kick from Malaga comes to nothing. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match with still more than 10 minutes remaining.
GOAL! Malaga 2-2 Sevilla (Samuel)
Malaga level with a spectacular effort as Samuel finds the top corner from outside the box. That is some strike.
Neither side is settling for a draw it appears as both continue to force players forward. Duda has a half-chance for the home side as he strikes one from distance, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Sevilla force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but Flavio and Antunes take it in turns to clear the danger. Do not rule out a winner here as both continue to force numbers in the final third.
Duda remains the main threat for the home side as he strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Amrabat threatens moments later, but he falls Pareja to the ground, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
GOAL! Malaga 3-2 Sevilla (Duda)
Malaga take the lead with little more than five minutes remaining as Duda collects a loose ball inside the box before thumping his effort into the top corner. Brilliant from the Malaga skipper.
Duda was booked for that celebration, but I suspect that he will not mind too much. This incredible match has taken another twist and we still have five minutes remaining. Neither side is too interested in defending as the pressure continues.
Malaga could have been forgiven for retreating after scoring their third, but that has not been the case. They want a fourth here as they continue to attack. Sevilla have a couple of corners moments later, but the danger is cleared.
Sevilla continue to force the issue and indeed force another corner through Moreno, but Pareja can only turn wide at the near post. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.
It has all erupted on the sidelines with both managers and backroom staff becoming involved in a clash. Incredible scenes!
Finally the referee has been able to calm proceedings, but neither manager was shirking the battle there! Sevilla break into the Malaga half moments later, but Bacca's low cross is into the arms of Caballero.
FULL TIME: Malaga 3-2 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Malaga beating Sevilla 3-2. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
