Málaga 2 - Valencia 2

Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Gerardo, Miguel Angel; Manu (Edgar 80'), Sandro (Leko70'), Musampa (Juanito 88'); Dely Valdés. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, Ayala, Marchena, Carboni; Baraja, De los Santos (Angulo 76'); Rufete, Aimar (Mista 46'), Vicente; Carew (Juan Sánchez 63'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Manu for Koke / Valencia: Curro Torres, De los Santos, Rufete, Aimar, Carew for Garrido, Angulo, Albelda, Juan Sánchez, Salva.

Goals:
1-0. 26. Manu. Shot inside post after Valcarce cross not cleared.
2-0. 31. Roteta. Diving header to connect with free kick from left.
2-1. 48. Mista. Took Carew pass and volleyed over Contreras from outside area.
2-2. 96. Angulo. Scrambled ball home after Mista effort blocked.

Last week's leaders Valencia saved a point at Málaga thanks to a controversial goal by Angulo in the sixth minute of injury time. Joaquín Peiró's side had been defending a two goal lead since the first half, and looked like they were going to hold on for their third straight win as time ran out. However referee Carmona Méndez kept play going longer than expected, and with the last kick of the match the visitors' substitute scrambled the ball over the line. The final whistle was met by scenes of violence from sections of the crowd, and Carmona had to be escorted off under a police escort.

None of this could have been foreseen at the end of the first half, with the home side in complete control of the game. Joaquín Peiró had drafted Manu into the side for the first time this season, and the ex Real Madrid midfielder paid him back with the opening goal, taking advantage of an unusually slow defence to shoot wide of Cañizares. Five minutes later Roteta produced a spectacular diving header from Musampa's free kick to make it two, and Valencia appeared to be beaten.

There was some doubt whether Ayala could continue after the break when he clashed with a Dely Valdés elbow, but he was back there for the restart. Rafa Benítez did make one change though, bringing on Mista for Aimar, and within three minutes he pulled one back with a long shot over Contreras. A few minutes later the manager took off a Carew who had missed a couple of early chances to put on Juan Sánchez, and then added an extra forward Angulo. Edgar went close to increasing Málaga's lead with a shot against the bar two minutes from the end, but then came the late goal for Valencia's salvation.