Atletico Madrid have missed the chance to move top of La Liga courtesy of a 1-0 defeat to struggling Malaga at the Estadio La Rosaleda this evening.
Diego Simeone's side were reduced to 10 men early in the second half before Charles netted the late winner to end Atletico's nine-match winning streak and 15-game unbeaten run.
© AFP
The contest got off to a quick start, with both sides enjoying sights of goal in the opening 10 minutes as first Charles brought a fine save from Jan Oblak before Yannick Ferreira Carrasco sent his effort over the top.
The visitors knew that victory would help them to steal a march on their title rivals, despite Real Madrid's thumping 10-2 victory earlier in the day, but they squandered another opening in the 18th minute when Gabi's volley was blocked.
Atletico continued to look the more likely as the first half progressed, with both Luciano Vietto and Carrasco drawing saves from Carlos Kameni in the Malaga goal shortly after the half-hour mark.
The best chances of the half fell the way of the hosts, though. Charles was picked out by a cross inside the box only to direct a tame effort straight at Oblak, while with four minutes of the opening 45 remaining Juan Carlos put his shot over the bar when well placed.
Malaga were the first to come close in the second half too as they went in search of three points to give their survival hopes a timely boost, but Recio's free kick flew narrowly over the crossbar.
The hosts' chances of pulling off an upset improved shortly afterwards, however, as Gabi's handball saw him pick up a second yellow card and receive his marching orders just 10 minutes into the second half.
Nevertheless, it was Atletico who had the next meaningful sight of goal when Kameni was called upon to deny Antoine Griezmann, although Duje Cop responded with a chance for the hosts moments later.
Despite the numerical disparity, both sides continued to conjure up chances, with perhaps the best of the lot being squandered by Fernando Torres following a fine solo run by the striker.
It was Malaga who got the win, however, as Nordin Amrabat's cross from the left found Charles, whose miscued effort deflected off Diego Godin before creeping past Oblak at the near post.
The result sees Malaga climb up to 13th in the table, three points clear of danger, while Atletico remain level on points with Barcelona having now played a game more.
Barney Corkhill
