Sunday's final La Liga clash pitted out-of-form Levante against Malaga in Valencia.
The home side took the lead after 19 minutes courtesy of a deft header from Spanish forward David Barral, with that goal separating the teams at the interval.
Malaga dominated the second period in terms of chances, but could not make the breakthrough as Levante held on for all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from Barcelona as Levante welcome Malaga. The home side are without a win in their last three matches in all competitions, but a solid start to the season has left them in 14th position in the table. Victory this evening could move them into ninth position.
Malaga, meanwhile, appear to have overcome a shaky start to the season in recent weeks. They have won two of their last three in the league, with that run of form moving them into 13th spot in the table, but they are just four points clear of the relegation zone. They have struggled on the road, meanwhile, with just one win from their nine away games.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Malaga have won three of the last five matches, with Levante also winning twice during that period. As mentioned, the corresponding clash last season ended in a 2-1 away success, while Malaga were also 3-1 winners on their own patch earlier in the campaign.
TEAMS:
LEVANTE: Navas; Lopez, Nikos, Vyntra, Juanfran; Xumetra, Pinto, Simao, Ivanschitz; Ruben, Barral
MALAGA: Caballero; Gamez, Sanchez, Weligton, Eliseu; Portillo, Camacho, Tissone, Samuel; Duda; Santa Cruz
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Levante XI this evening with Barral once more leading the line. There are also spots for Ivanschitz and Ruben, but El Zhar starts on the bench. Malaga, meanwhile, recall Roque Santa Cruz to their attack alongside experienced skipper Duda. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Valencia.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive in this type of match. It is imperative that Levante keep the fans onside in the early exchanges. It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition this evening.
Only Real Betis, who are bottom of the table and nine points from safety, have scored fewer in the league than Levante this season, which is a clear indication of their problems. Malaga have improved in recent weeks, however, and are demonstrating their attacking intent in the early exchanges this evening. Let's hope for an open contest in Valencia.
End-to-end football in the early stages of this La Liga contest with both sides forcing the issue in the final third Xumetra demonstrates his pace for Levante with a mazy run, but he loses possession at the vital moment. Samuel collects a through pass from Duda moments later, but his effort strikes Vyntra inside the box.
Half-chance for Malaga as Camacho meets a free kick from Duda, but his header is just wide of the post. There is a major height difference between the two sides this evening with Malaga towering over their opponents. Set-pieces could be the main avenue for the away side. Still goalless with nine minutes on the clock in the final La Liga match of the evening.
Frustrating start from Levante as Simao and Pedro Lopez are both ruled offside in quick succession. Malaga are down the other end with Duda moments later, but Simao is on hand to make a fine block as Malaga force their first corner of the match. The away side are looking the most productive as the first period begins to gather pace.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of moments with the likes of Xumetra and Barral enjoying more of the ball, but they have been unable to really force the issue in the final third thus far. It is the type of match that could be dependent on the first goal.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match comes to Levante as Ivanschitz strikes one from outside the box, but Caballero just manages to make the save. It threatens to fall for Barral, but Weligton is on hand to scramble clear. Much better from the home side as the atmosphere rises.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. The latest hands Levante a free kick as Sanchez fells Barral, but the resulting set piece is played short and comes to nothing. It remains goalless with 18 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Levante 1-0 Malaga (Barral)
The home side take the lead with 19 minutes on the clock as Barral heads an Ivanschitz corner into the back of the net from close range. First blood to Levante.
Question marks must be asked about Malaga goalkeeper Caballero, who came and got nowhere near that corner. The goal has certainly changed the atmosphere inside the stadium as the first period continues to gather pace. Can Malaga respond?
CHANCE! Malaga come close to levelling as Samuel finds some space inside the Levante box before delivering a dangerous cross towards Santa Cruz, but Navas just manages to clear at the vital moment. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
The first booking of the match is handed to Pedro Lopez as the Levante right-back fells Eliseu on the left. The resulting set piece is delivered by Duda, but Navas manages to make contact in a crowded box. Both sides have struggled to defend set pieces in the opening 27 minutes this evening.
Good pressure from Malaga in the last couple of moments with Duda becoming more influential in the final third. Meanwhile, the home side continue to hand free kicks to their opponents outside the box. The latest set piece is delivered by Duda, but Camacho heads just wide of the post.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Malaga are in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that they are growing into this match. Duda tries his luck from distance, but Navas is on hand to collect. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Levante cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as Malaga continue to force the issue in the final third. Santa Cruz is causing problems with his presence, but he has been well marshalled thus far. Camacho attempts to thread a through pass towards Samuel moments later, but it just runs away from the Spaniard.
Malaga are forced into an early change here as Flavio replaces Weligton, who limps off the field. That does not look too great for the defender. It doesn't interrupt the flow of traffic, however, as the away side continue to pass and probe outside the Levante box.
Half-chance for the home side as Ruben finds some space outside the Malaga box, but his effort just moves wide of the post. Better from Levante in the last couple of moments as they press Malaga into their own half. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in Valencia.
Half-chance for Malaga from a free kick, but Duda can only bend his effort into the arms of Navas, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers. The referee has been called into action in the last couple of moments to deal with a number of collisions as the half draws to an untidy close.
Malaga continue to force the issue as Samuel picks up possession outside the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but Navas is once more across to make the save. You just get the feeling that Malaga will take one of these opportunities if they continue to fall in the second period.
Camacho takes matters into his own hands for Malaga as he takes possession away from Vyntra on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but the Greek manages to throw his body in the way. The resulting corner is delivered towards Sanchez, but the defender cannot connect.
HALF TIME: Levante 1-0 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Levante leading 1-0 courtesy of a header from Barral after 19 minutes. Malaga have dominated the possession, however, and are perhaps a shade unlucky to be behind.
STATISTICS: Malaga have dominated the possession with 70%, while they have had nine attempts - two of which have been on target - to Levante's five. There have also been two yellow cards issued by the referee, who has been forced to deal with a number of late challenges.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of El Zhar, Angel and Pedro Rios. Meanwhile, Malaga have the likes of Anderson, Morales, Juanmi and Sergi Darder among their subs this evening.
Here we go then. Both set of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could shape the final result. You would have to fancy Malaga if they levelled in the early stages of the half. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in Valencia.
Levante have made a change at the interval with Camarasa replacing Sergio Pinto. Malaga have an immediate chance to level as Duda's cross falls for Santa Cruz inside the box, but his effort is straight at Juanfran. The resulting corner is delivered by Duda, but once more Navas manages to force clear of the penalty area.
The half-time interval has done nothing to stem the flow of traffic with Malaga impressing in the early stages of the half. Levante might have the lead, but they are struggling in the final third at the moment. Gamez delivers a dangerous cross into the home side's box, but Lopez is on hand to clear the danger under pressure from Santa Cruz.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Santa Cruz finds some space inside the box before rolling a low cross towards Samuel, but Lopez just manages to clear at the vital moment. The match is starting to open up as the second period gathers pace.
Another half-chance for Malaga as Santa Cruz takes control in a crowded box before finding Eliseu, but his powerful effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Santa Cruz is again involved moments later after collecting a through pass from Duda, but Juanfran is across to clear the danger.
Again it is good work from the away side as Portillo finds some space on the right before slotting a low pass towards Camacho, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. Each has two permitted subs remaining.
Opportunity for Levante to force the issue from a free kick as Eliseu fells Lopez down the left. The resulting set piece is delivered by the wonderful left foot of Ivanschitz, but Simao's header is blocked by Tissone. Malaga attempt to break down the other end with Portillo, but his through pass only finds Navas.
Another half-chance for the away side as Duda finds some space outside the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but Navas makes a fine save. The Levante stopper is again equal to the danger moments later following a Santa Cruz effort from the edge of the area. How are Malaga not level?!
Levante make their second change of the match as Ivanschitz is replaced by Pedro Rios. That change is a surprise for me. Still no movement on the Malaga bench, but Anderson would be the obvious addition to their attack. Little over 25 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining in Valencia.
Malaga do indeed make their second change of the match as Anderson enters the field in place of Portillo, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with late challenges arriving from both sides. Still Levante lead by the odd goal.
There is a real underlying ill-feeling in this match as both sets of players clash following a late challenge in the middle of the park, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Malaga retain control of the ball. Little over 20 minutes remaining. It is quite incredible that the away side are not level.
Half-chance for Levante as Rios finds some space outside the Malaga box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. It would be a surprise if we finished with all 22 players this evening as the late challenges continue to occur. It is suiting Levante, with the stop-start nature harming Malaga's threat. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to level as Anderson finds Eliseu inside the box, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar by Juanfran. The resulting corner is delivered by Duda, but Sanchez's header is cleared off the line by Vyntra. How on earth are Levante still ahead here?
Karabelas becomes the latest name to enter the book as he fells Duda on the edge of the box. There are a number of players walking a fine line with 15 minutes of football remaining. Santa Cruz has an effort on goal moments later, but Navas collects with ease. Both sides have one change remaining if they wish to alter proceedings.
The stop-start period of the match continues as Samuel picks up a booking for pulling Camarasa to the ground. The referee has been incredibly busy in the second half. The resulting free kick hits the post after contact from Barral, but the offside flag had been raised.
Malaga make their third and final change of the evening as Juanmi replaces Tissone for the final 10 minutes. Levante have taken control of the possession in the last couple of moments with Barral making runs into the channels, but Malaga remain a threat with their pace and movement in the final third.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Levante keeping possession of the ball. Victory for the home side would move them into ninth position, but you still get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Rios goes down inside the box moments later, but the referee is not interested.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and still Levante hold onto their one-goal lead. Neither side has been allowed to put together any sort of extended pressure with the stop-start nature continuing. Duda delivers a deep cross towards Santa Cruz, but his header fails to test Navas.
Opportunity for Duda to level as the Malaga skipper stands over a free kick outside the box after Santa Cruz had been felled, but Navas is on hand to make the save, before Juanmi is ruled offside. Little under five minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
Levante make their third and final change of the match as Ruben Garcia is replaced by Hector Rodas. Malaga continue to force the issue with a number of high balls into the Levante box, but Vyntra and Karabelas have both been terrific.
Half-chance for Malaga as Eliseu's cross is met by Anderson, but his header is pushed clear by Navas. Flavio attempts the spectacular moments later, but Navas is again on hand to make the save. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.
Time is not on Malaga's side at the moment as another free kick is awarded to Levante just outside their own box. A penny for Schuster's thoughts. His side have dominated this match but are nearing defeat. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining.
FULL TIME: Levante 1-0 Malaga
So there we have it. Barral's header is enough to hand Levante all three points against Malaga. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
