Malaga add Spanish treble in CL
15 March 2013 1:20 AM GMT
Malaga’s remarkableChampions League campaign continued on Wednesday when they beat Porto 2-0 to progress to the quarterfinals 2-1 on aggregate.
Trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Portugal, Malaga levelled the tie on aggregate when Isco scored with a stunning strike just before half-time.
If that gave the Spanish club confidence, they were left in an even stronger position when Porto had Steven Defour sent off for a second booking shortly after the restart.
And substitute Roque Santa Cruz scored the crucial goal, heading home with 13 minutes left, as Malaga become the third club from La Liga in the quarterfinal draw, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Still unbeaten in their domestic league this season, and leading thanks to Joao Moutinho’s solitary strike in the first leg last month, Porto would have been confident of seeing off the challenge of Malaga at La Rosaleda.
Vitor Pereira’s side started strongly, too, dominating possession despite the hostile atmosphere.
Malaga had not won a domestic game since losing the first leg in Portugal, and they took their time to come into the contest, but a strong finish to the first period saw them come right back into the tie.
Trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Portugal, Malaga levelled the tie on aggregate when Isco scored with a stunning strike just before half-time.
If that gave the Spanish club confidence, they were left in an even stronger position when Porto had Steven Defour sent off for a second booking shortly after the restart.
And substitute Roque Santa Cruz scored the crucial goal, heading home with 13 minutes left, as Malaga become the third club from La Liga in the quarterfinal draw, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Still unbeaten in their domestic league this season, and leading thanks to Joao Moutinho’s solitary strike in the first leg last month, Porto would have been confident of seeing off the challenge of Malaga at La Rosaleda.
Vitor Pereira’s side started strongly, too, dominating possession despite the hostile atmosphere.
Malaga had not won a domestic game since losing the first leg in Portugal, and they took their time to come into the contest, but a strong finish to the first period saw them come right back into the tie.
Next Story
