Osasuna travelled to Malaga on Friday looking for just their second La Liga win of the season.
The away side took the lead after 23 minutes through Oriol Riera, with that strike all that separated the two sides at the interval.
Malaga pushed for the equaliser in the second period, but could not make the breakthrough as Osasuna held on for a vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome struggling Osasuna. The home side lost their first two matches of the season, but they are unbeaten in their last five, winning twice in the process. Another victory this evening could see them move as high as fifth.
Osasuna, however, have managed just one win from their first seven matches, with a total of three points leaving them in 19th position in the table. It was always going to be a difficult season after losing key players in the summer, and so it has proved. Even a morale-boosting three points this evening would not be enough to move them out of the drop zone.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won one of the last five, with the remaining three ending in a share of the spoils. Recent scorelines suggest that we will have a tight match this evening with just six goals coming in the last five matches. As mentioned, Malaga were 1-0 winners in the corresponding match last season.
TEAMS:
MALAGA XI: Caballero; Gamez, Sanchez, Angeleri, Antunes; Darder, Tissone; Duda, Morales, Portillo; Santa Cruz.
OSASUNA XI: Andres; Damia, Loties, Arribas, Bertran; Lolo, Silva, Sisi, De las Cuevas; Armenteros, Riera
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Malaga XI this evening with Roque Santa Cruz leading the line, while there are also starts for Sergi Darder and Portillo. Osasuna, meanwhile, continue with Oriol Riera and Armenteros. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. Bright start to proceedings from Malaga as Duda immediately looks for the run of Santa Cruz inside the box, but Lolo is across to clear at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Osasuna to take the lead as Riera finds himself in a one-on-one situation with Caballero, but the Malaga stopper is across to make a fine save. Moments later Darder looks for Duda down the left, but the Malaga skipper had just moved into an offside position. Bright opening four minutes to proceedings.
Jesus Gamez is involved for Malaga moments later as the right-back finds himself in the final third, but his cross is straight into the arms of Andres Fernandez. Osasuna attempt to counter with Armenteros, but the Argentine cannot find the run of De las Cuevas. Hardly time to take a breath as the end-to-end period of the match continues.
Malaga want a penalty as Santa Cruz goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Morales picks up the pieces moments later, but his effort is wide of the post. I would be astounded if we did not see goals this evening with the way the opening eight minutes has unfolded. Both teams have come to attack that is for certain.
Malaga continue to force the issue as Portillo finds some space outside the box before feeding Duda, but the Portuguese's cross is straight into the arms of the Osasuna stopper. The away side counter down the other end with their skipper Damia, but it breaks down in the final third. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for De las Cuevas as the Osasuna winger collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Plenty of noise from the home supporters, but Osasuna have started very brightly this evening. However, even three points would not move the away side out of the relegation zone.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with neither side able to find that elusive pass in the final third. Meanwhile, the referee has been forced to deal with a number of late challenges from both sets of players. Just a few signs that the match is starting to settle after a lively opening to proceedings.
Lolo is next to force the issue for the away side as he strikes an effort from just outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the crossbar. Plenty of attacking intent from the Osasuna full-backs thus far. Malaga are down the other end with Duda moments later, but his cross is collected by Andres. Lack of quality in either final third at the moment.
CHANCE! Malaga's best chance of the opening 20 minutes falls to Duda just inside the box, but the skipper can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. The Portuguese fell out of favour at the club last season, but he is very much part of their plans this time around. Still goalless with 20 minutes on the clock.
Darder attempts to force the issue moments later as the Malaga midfielder combines with Morales on the edge of the box before attempting to feed Santa Cruz, but the former Manchester City forward had moved into an offside position, which is also the case down the other end with Armenteros moments later.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Santa Cruz to open the scoring for the home side as the Paraguayan meets a cross from Duda, but Andres is on hand to make a fine save. The opportunities are just starting to arrive, but Osasuna remain a threat down the other end with Riera's movement.
GOAL! Malaga 0-1 Osasuna (Riera)
What was I saying about Riera?! Osasuna take the lead with 23 minutes on the clock as the striker converts at the second time of asking after his first effort had been kept out by Caballero. It is against the run of play, but they have had their moments.
Well, this would be one of the shocks of the season there is no question about that. But Malaga still have plenty of time to turn this one around. Malaga have had more of the possession thus far, but Osasuna have come to play this evening there is no question about that.
CHANCE! Malaga are all over the pace at the moment as Silva cuts into the box before curling an effort towards goal, but Caballero is across to make the save. It falls to Sisi, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner. Osasuna smell blood here as they continue to commit players forward.
Real sense of nervousness inside the stadium at the moment as another wave of red shirts move toward the Malaga box, but Antunes is across to clear at the vital moment. Duda attempts to force the issue for the home side moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments with Duda and Tissone seeing plenty of the ball in the final third, but the final ball has been short of the required standard thus far. Osasuna continue to force the issue in the wide areas, but Caballero remains dominant in the air. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Osasuna to add their second as Riera meets a low cross from Sisi, but once more Caballero is on hand to make the save. The Malaga stopper has kept his side in this match there is no question about that.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Silva delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Caballero is on hand to collect under pressure from Riera. Malaga are down the other end with Portillo moments later, but it breaks down as the Spaniard attempts to find Santa Cruz at the far post.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side and indeed Riera as the Osasuna striker meets a cross from Silva, but he can only head over the crossbar. It would be no exaggeration to say that Osasuna could have been out of sight with half time fast approaching.
It's good work from Antunes as the Malaga winger drives between two defenders before delivering a dangerous ball into the box, the home supporters want a penalty as it appears to hit the arm of Riera, but the referee is not interested. Little over three minutes of the first period remaining.
Real sense of frustration among the Malaga players at the moment as another attack breaks down in the final third. Malaga have had 54% of the possession at this stage of match, but in truth, have not done a lot with it. It is difficult to put into words what three points this evening would do for Osasuna's season, but there is still another half of football to come. One additional minute will be played.
HALF TIME: Malaga 0-1 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with Osasuna leading Malaga courtesy of a close-range finish from Riera. It has been far from smash and grab, however, with the away side passing up a number of opportunities to add to their tally. Much for Malaga to ponder as they trudge off the pitch.
STATISTICS: Malaga have just about shaded the possession with 52%, but they have had just two attempts - both of which have been off target - to Osasuna's nine (six on target). Malaga's pass success rate of 89% is impressive, but they have been short of ideas in the final third. This would be one of the shocks of the season if Osasuna can pick up all the points.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench with El Hamdaoui, Eliseu and Pawlowski all available. Meanwhile, Osasuna have the likes of Nunez, Manuel and Oier in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see the home side make changes in the early stages of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Three points for Osasuna would not be enough to move them out of the bottom three, but it would move them level on six points with a number of teams ahead of them. Osasuna get the second 45 minutes underway.
Two changes for Malaga at the interval with Duda and Morales replaced by El Hamdaoui and Pawlowski, which is not much of a surprise. It has been a bright start to the second period from the home side with Osasuna forced into their own box, but eventually Lolo manages to clear the danger. The away side will have to expect a response from Malaga in this second period.
Again it's good work from Darder as the Spaniard finds some room down the left before delivering a cross into the box, but Lolo is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is taken by Portillo, but Andres is on hand to collect. Osasuna attempt to break out with Silva, but the Chilean runs into a number of blue and white shirts. High-tempo opening five minutes to the second half.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges. It would not be a surprise to see Osasuna attempt to quell the tempo of this match at every possibility. The higher the intensity, the more it will suit Malaga, whose supporters continue to raise their voices inside the stadium.
Almost like a training match at the moment as Malaga continue to pin Osasuna into their own box, but their final ball just has not been there thus far. Portillo continues to occupy advanced positions and indeed the Spaniard creates an opportunity for Antunes with a through pass, but Andres manages to clear at the vital moment. Still 1-0 to Osasuna with 55 minutes on the clock.
Yellow card for Arribas as the Osasuna defender fells El Hamdaoui outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Antunes, but his effort is straight into the wall. It just has to be better from that type of position. Not too much for Osasuna in an attacking sense in the second period, but their one-goal lead remains very much in tact.
Half-chance for Malaga as Antunes delivers a wonderful cross into the box, but Santa Cruz can only head high and wide of the crossbar. Malaga still have one permitted change and it would not be a surprise to see that made in the next five minutes or so. Very much one-way traffic, but Osasuna are not overly worried in defence at the moment.
Another free kick for the home side is delivered into the box by Moreno, but once more Andres is on hand to make the clearance. Sergio Sanchez wants a penalty moments later as he tumbles in the area, but the referee is not interested and rightly so. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga encounter.
Finally Osasuna have a spell of possession in the Malaga half, but it ends as Armenteros clips his effort into the arms of the goalkeeper. The away side are yet to make a change, but it would not be a surprise to see them freshen things up in the next five minutes or so. The yellow cards continue to arrive for Osasuna as Damia becomes the latest to enter the book for a foul on Portillo.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments, but it remains one-way traffic with Malaga forcing the issue. If the home side can level, then you would back them to claim all three points. However, another goal for the away side could and probably should put this game to bed. It is so delicately poised with 67 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side as Santa Cruz finds some space just outside the box, but his effort is into the arms of Andres, much to the frustration of the home side's bench. Another passing sequence brings an opportunity for Portillo, but he loses control at the vital moment, allowing Sisi across to clear the danger.
Good spell for Osasuna in the last couple of moments with the away side frustrating Malaga with a spell of possession. You cannot blame them for dropping deeper and deeper in this half. The away side make their first change of the match moments later as Oier replaces De las Cuevas with little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
The card count continues to rise as Bertran enters the book for a late challenge on Tissone, but Osasuna will not mind if they can hold onto all three points this evening. Another Malaga free kick is whipped into the box by Antunes, but once more the danger is cleared. Real frustration from the home supporters with 74 minutes on the clock.
Slight stoppage in play as Lolo receives treatment inside his own half, which is not proving popular with either the home players or the supporters. Indeed, Caballero is handed a yellow card as he runs almost the entire length of the pitch to make his case. Safe to say that it has not been Malaga's evening thus far, but there is still time for that to change.
Osasuna are forced into a change as Punal replaces Lolo, who hobbles off the pitch, bringing whistles from the home supporters. The home side continue to force the issue with a series of crosses into the box, but another chance comes and goes as El Hamdaoui turns wide from close range. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Good spell for Osasuna in the last couple of moments as they manage to give their defence a break with a period of possession. Two corners follow in quick succession, but the first is cleared by Antunes before Caballero palms the second clear. Time is just starting to run out with Osasuna seemingly finding a second wind.
Pin-ball inside the Malaga box, but it just will not fall for a blue shirt as Osasuna manage to clear the danger. Handbags between both sets of players moments later as frustration continues to grow. It would not be a surprise to see the referee issue a red card as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides.
Osasuna look to their bench one more as Sisi, who has been involved in a couple of altercations, is replaced by Joan Oriol. That is a smart decision from the management. The last thing they need is to go down to 10 men as they attempt to hold onto the lead. Malaga continue with possession in the final third, but it is the same old story as their final ball continues to let them down.
Another stoppage in play as Riera goes down in the Malaga half, which wastes more time. Malaga make their third and final change moments later as Eliseu replaces Antunes. I should suspect that there will be a fair chunk of injury time with the number of injuries that have occurred in the second period. Best part of five minutes for Malaga to force an equaliser.
Riera returns to the field, which is not a popular decision with the home supporters after the way that he trudged off. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional five minutes, which brings a reaction from the crowd. Can the home side turn this one around in the latter stages?
Almost as if we are watching an action replay as Malaga continue to deliver high balls into the box, only for Osasuna to clear the danger. The away side manage to break with Silva moments later, but the Chilean had moved into an offside position. Time is running out.
More precious moments wilt away as Antunes delivers a cross straight into the arms of Andres, who falls to the ground. Malaga work the ball from left to right moments later before Santa Cruz attempts to poke it towards Darder, but the Spaniard cannot collect. Little under one minute of stoppage time remaining.
FULL TIME: Malaga 0-1 Osasuna
So there we have it. Osasuna hold on to secure a vital three points, ending Malaga's recent upturn in form in the process. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us this weekend for a number of live commentaries from across Europe. Until then!
