Santa Cruz fires Malaga past 10-man Porto
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E-mail Xinhua, March 14, 2013
Spanish side Malaga CF enjoyed a historic 2-0 win over Porto on Wednesday night to qualify for the last eight of the Champions League.
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Isco celebrates after scoring the opener for Malaga. |
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 the game.
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.
Joaquin Sanchez was looking to constantly use his pace down the right for Malaga, while Jeremy Toulalan provided experience in midfield and Izco a touch of class behind striker, Javier Saviola, while Porto's Jackson Martinez' strength and pace meant that Malaga and their fans were unable to relax for a moment, although most of the visitors' shots game from distance and failed to trouble Willy Caballero in the Malaga goal.
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 leveled 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.
Meanwhile FC Barcelona's good week continues with the confirmation by Sporting Director, Andoni Zubizarreta that coach Tito Vilanova will continue at the club next season.
Villanova is currently in New York receiving cancer treatment and was unable to direct his side's historic 4-0 win over AC Milan, which qualified Barca for the last eight of the Champions League, in person, but is expected to be back in Spain for the next round, while Zubizarreta presented an optimistic outlook for the coach.
"We have said that we hope to have him here by the end of the month and it will be then down to him how he times his return to work. Tito will continue next season and he will control the agenda. I am not going to give a fixed date for his return to work, but he is in charge and if he wants to be, he will be in control," said Zubizarreta.
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