Malaga third Spanish side in Champions League quarters

March 14, 2013 | Sports | Written by

Madrid, March 14: Spanish football side Malaga enjoyed a historic 2-0 win over Porto to qualify for the last eight of the Champions League.

Goals from Izco and Roque Santa Cruz overturned a 1-0 first leg defeat to the Portuguese side, but the entire Malaga side and especially the defense for stopping their rivals having any clear chances during Wednesday’s game, reports Xinhua.

Meanwhile the fans in the La Rosaleda Stadium, including famous actor, Antonio Banderas, enjoyed a night they will never forget as Malaga assured three Spanish sides in the last eight of the competition.

With the game so finely balanced after the first leg, anyone could have been forgiven for expecting a cautious start from both sides, but that was not the case.

Driven on by a passionate home crowd, Malaga kicked off looking for the goal that would level the tie, while Porto were in search on the away goal that could have taken the tie beyond the home side’s reach.

However for all of the good intentions and the pace of the game, neither side was able to produce a dangerous shot on goal until Porto’s Lucho Gonzalez saw a shot deflected wide after 25 minutes.

Saviola had the ball in the Porto net after 39 minutes, but the goal was ruled out for a supposed foul on Porto keeper, Helton, although it looked more like a keeper error than a foul in attack as he failed to hold the ball.

Four minutes later Izco levelled the tie with a spectacular shot from 25 yards which left Helton clutching at air and the game seemed to swing Malaga’s way three minutes after the break after Steven Defour was sent off after seeing his second yellow card of the night for a horrible challenge on Joaquin.

Malaga took control but failed to create the chances their dominance deserved and Manuel Pellegrini brought striker Roque Santa Cruz into the game for the tired, Julio Cesar Baptista after 73 minutes.

It turned out to be a master-stoke as four minutes later the Paraguayan headed home Malaga’s second from a corner kick.

Porto tried to get back on level terms, but got short shift against a Malaga defense excellently marshaled by central defender Weligton.

IANS