Málaga 4 - Numancia 1

Málaga: Calatayud; Gerardo, Juanito, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Edgar (Geijo 77'), Miguel Angel, Leko, Duda (Luque 70'); Amoroso, Wanchope (Manu 63'). 4-4-2.
Numancia: Alvaro Nuñez; Juanpa, Jaime Molina, Otxoa, Graff; Palacios, Ros (Antonio 87'); Velasco, Miguel Angel Nuñez (Pablo Sanz 78'), Lee Chun Soo (Osorio 85'); Pineda. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Gerardo, Leko for Alexis, Romero / Numancia: Juanpa, Velasco, Miguel Angel Nuñez for Pignol, Kiassos, Tevenet.

Goals:
1-0. 04. Miguel Angel. Connected with corner from left to volley into top of net.
2-0. 08. Wanchope. Lifted ball over Otxoa and fired shot into top of net.
3-0. 20. Amoroso. Deflected ball in with knee as Wanchope headed down corner.
3-1. 68. Otxoa. From close to goal after Calatayud failed to hold on to Lee cross.
4-1. 90. Luque. Cut in past two defenders and shot high across keeper.

Spectacular goals at the Rosaleda stadium in a match that everybody expected to be dull, Málaga kick-starting their season with a 4-1 win over Numancia. Manzano's side raced into a three goal lead, Miguel Angel starting things off with a magnificent first time volley from Duda's corner in the fourth minute. Soon afterwards though Wanchope got in on the act, lifting the ball over Otxoa and firing a left foot shot into the roof of the net before it hit the ground. And Amoroso made it three midway through the half, deflecting the ball past Nuñez with his leg for his first goal for his new club, Velasco Carballo turning down Numancia's appeals for offside.

The rookie referee further upset the visitors when he waved away claims for a penalty on Palacios, and then sent off Graff just before the break as he and Otxoa sandwiched Wanchope as he advanced on goal. He did however make up for it in part when he turned a blind eye to a foul on Edgar in the area after the break. The Soria based side didn't give up though, Ros hitting the bar just before the interval, and they got a goal back when Otxoa stroked the ball into an empty net after Calatayud failed to hold on to Lee Chun Soo's cross. But Luque rounded things offwith another great goal in the last minute, taking his side up to join the group on . seven points, just behind the three leaders.