Malaga welcomed Osasuna to the Estadio La Rosaleda on Saturday looking to keep their top-four hopes alive.
The home side created the best of the chances in first period, but neither team could make the breakthrough, with Osasuna defending in numbers.
Malaga continued to force the issue in the second half, but they had to wait until the 93rd minute to score the winner with Julio Baptista firing home from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the night comes from Malaga as the home side welcome a struggling Osasuna. Malaga, who will not be able to compete in the Champions League next season regardless of their position in the league, have just struggled in recent weeks. However, Osasuna will not be in the mood to feel any sympathy.
As it stands, Malaga sit in seventh position in the table, four points behind Real Sociedad, who currently occupy fourth position. They have lost three of their last five matches, meanwhile, including defeats against Real Sociedad and Espanyol. This is the type of game they have to win if they are to finish in the top four.
Osasuna, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. They are not currently in the relegation zone, but a poor run of form over the next couple of weeks could see them drop into trouble. Currently, there are just seven points separating bottom from 15th in the table. That is an indication of just how close it is at the wrong end of the division.
TEAMS:
MALAGA: Caballero; Gamez, Demichelis, Weligton; Joaquin, Iturra, Camacho, Isco, Eliseu; Saviola, Baptista
OSASUNA: Fernandez; Ruben, Bertran, Oier, Arribas; Silva, De las Cuevas, Armenteros, Cejudo; Loe, Sola
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Malaga team this evening, although it does appear that they will line up with a three-man defence. Osasuna, meanwhile, leave Nino on the bench, but Kike Sola has recovered from a muscular injury to lead the line. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Malaga.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere with both sets of supporters making their voices heard in the early stages. Will Malaga have a European hangover this evening? They are up against an Osasuna side that just wants to be playing La Liga football next season.
Bright start from the away side as Sola collects possession on the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Caballero comes out to claim the danger. Baptista is on the attack moments later as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but Fernandez manages to get a firm hand to the Brazilian's shot.
CHANCE! Another fine chance for the home side as Joaquin miss-hits a shot outside the box, it falls to Baptista in front of goal, but the Brazilian has a fresh air shot. He turns around to look at the linesman, but the flag was down. I am not sure what Baptista has had for dinner, but he is in the mood.
CHANCE! Malaga come close to opening the scoring once more as Ruben strikes a clearance straight onto the back of Saviola, it threatens to drop under the crossbar, but Fernandez just manages to palm it behind for a corner. The resulting corner is met by Weligton, but his header is wide of the post.
Osasuna just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as they continue to come under constant pressure from the home side. Eliseu is involved moments later as he drives into the box before finding Baptista, but Ruben is across to clear for yet another corner. Surely the opener is on its way.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Cejudo's effort is deflected by Weligton, but it just drops over the crossbar. The resulting corner causes problems in the Malaga box, but the referee blows for a free kick. Fast-paced opening 12 minutes to this match, but we still await the opening goal.
Another half-chance for Malaga as Ruben fells Joaquin outside the box. The latter floats the resulting free kick into the box, but it drifts straight out of play for a goal kick. Osasuna enjoy a passing sequence outside the Malaga box moments later, but once more they just cannot find that elusive final pass.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of wasteful passing in the final third. It's better from Osasuna as Sola combines with Loe before firing a low cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Armenteros, who had made a late dart into the penalty area.
You just get the feeling that Osasuna need to score the first goal this evening if they are to take something from the match. Should Malaga open the scoring, it would really raise the crowd inside the stadium, who have just gone quiet after a bright opening. Saviola has a half-chance moments later, but his effort is blocked by Ruben.
Malaga's corner count continues to rise as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Fernandez before Weligton heads the second over the crossbar. Osasuna attempt to break with Oier, but his low cross into the box is cleared. Not the best match in terms of quality with 21 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for Saviola as the Argentine collects possession on the edge of the box before firing an effort towards goal, but it was always moving wide of the post. Baptista has another opportunity moments later, but Bertran is across to make the block.
Osasuna have been impressive defensively thus far, but there comes a point where they have to start opening up. Joaquin is next to try his luck from distance as he gathers possession on the edge of the box before thumping an effort towards goal, but it just whistled past the post.
Slightly bitty period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee called into action to deal with a number of challenges. Finally Osasuna muster up a shooting opportunity as Silva collects possession outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
Just a reminder that Malaga will not be eligible to play Champions League football next season regardless of their position in the table due to financial issues. It is understood that they will appeal the decision, but the ban is expected to stand. That said, they will still be keen to finish in fourth position in this campaign.
First real sign of Isco as the Spaniard gathers possession on the left before darting round two players and finding Saviola in the box, but the Argentine just cannot sort out his feet with Ruben on hand to make the challenge. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining in the first period, with the two sides level at 0-0.
Good possession for Osasuna in the last couple of moments as they pass and probe outside the box, but they just cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. In many ways, it is an indication of their season. They are a nice footballing team, but really struggle to put the ball in the back of the net.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, not a lot is happening. Malaga came out of the traps impressively in the early stages, but have just struggled in the last 15 minutes or so. Meanwhile, Osasuna appear to be gathering belief with each passing moment.
POST! Wonderful chance for the home side as Saviola beats the offside trap before stroking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it smashes off the foot of the post. That would have certainly settled some nerves in this stadium. The score remains goalless with 38 minutes on the clock.
Suddenly Malaga have just burst into life once more as Baptista drives into the opposing box, but Oier is back to make the challenge. It falls to Isco, but the Spaniard just cannot evade the challenge of Ruben. It is not difficult to see why Osasuna do not concede many goals. Armenteros has the ball in the net down the other end, but the offside flag is raised.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Cejudo bursts onto a pass from Sola before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Caballero is across to make a fine save. That is always the danger for the home side, you wonder whether they will be made to regret their missed chances. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in the first period.
Another half-chance for the away side as Armenteros meets a cross from Cejudo, but his effort is volleyed just wide of the post. Meanwhile, Sola picks up a yellow card for a challenge on Iturra. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional minute at the end of the first period.
Penalty shout for the home side as Saviola is felled in the box by Oier, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the home supporters. I have certainly seen them given.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. The home side started on the front foot, but simply could not take their chances, with Baptista guilty of two guilt-edged misses. Osasuna improved in the latter stages, but have not really offered a goal threat.
STATISTICS: The home side have just about shaded the possession with 51%, but they have had just six attempts to Osasuna's seven. However, Malaga have managed two shots on target to the away side's one. If it were a boxing match, Malaga would be leading on points at this stage of proceedings.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of options in reserve with the likes of Lucas Piazon, Duda and Sergio Sanchez. Meanwhile, Osasuna boss Mendilibar could call upon Nino or Nano in the second period. Right, we are just a couple of minutes away from the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising at this stage of events. As it stands, Malaga would move into sixth position, while Osasuna would remain 15th. The home side get the half underway.
Bright start to the half from the home side as Joaquin whips a free kick into the box, but Fernandez is on hand to palm clear. It falls to Isco, but Ruben is first on the scene to make the challenge. Eliseu arrives in the box moments later after good work from Baptista, but the offside flag is raised.
Free kick for the away side this time as Silva is felled outside the box by Camacho. Cejudo takes the resulting set piece, but Baptista is on hand to perform his defensive duties. You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could have a huge bearing on the final result.
More frustration for Baptista as the powerful Brazilian is felled in his own half by Ruben. If the Brazilian can find some of the form he showed in the early stages of the match, then Osasuna could be in trouble. Gamez fires a cross into the box moments later, but Baptista's effort is straight at the goalkeeper.
I would be astounded if we did not a see a goal in the second half with the way both teams are playing. Osasuna attempt to force the issue moments later as Cejudo evades two defenders in the box before firing towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Bright opening to the second period, but the score remains goalless.
Slightly sloppy passing from the away side allows Malaga into the opposing box once more, but Baptista's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Sola attempts to gain possession down the other end moments later, but the ball is just not sticking for Osasuna. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining in Malaga.
The crowd just needs something to lift them at the moment with the noise almost non-existent in the stadium. On the face of it, a point would be a good result for Osasuna, but that would not move them clear of relegation trouble. For Malaga, these are the type of matches that they simply have to win if they are to finish in the top four.
Malaga have just raised the tempo in the last couple of moments with Isco and Eliseu both providing width down each wing, but the final ball into the box has not been up to the required standard. I suspect we are getting to that point in the match where both managers will look to their bench for inspiration.
Good spell for Osasuna as they pass and probe outside the Malaga box, but they just cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. Silva does gain a corner, which is whipped into the box by De las Cuevas, but Armenteros's header is cleared by Weligton. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining.
It is the away supporters that can be heard as the second period continues to gather pace. The Malaga fans respond with a verse of their own, but it has done nothing to raise the tempo on the pitch. We have already seen some fabulous games in La Liga this weekend, but unfortunately this has not been one of them.
Another half-chance for Saviola as the Argentine pounces on a loose ball in the box before attempting to poke his effort past Fernandez, but the Spaniard is out to collect at the vital moment. Meanwhile, the away side make the first change of the match as Cejudo is replaced by Punal.
Osasuna are just inviting the pressure at the moment as they continue to drop deeper and deeper into their own half. You do wonder whether they will be able to quell the pressure for the next 20 minutes or so. Another cross comes into the box from Joaquin, but Fernandez is comfortable in claiming the danger.
A mistake from Weligton almost allows Sola the chance to have a clear run on goal, but Gamez is across to clear at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that if we have a goal it will come via a moment of inspiration or a mistake. However, it does not appear likely that a goal is coming from anywhere at the moment.
I would love to be able to say that we have had a host of chances in the last few moments, but that has not been the case. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and the two sides still cannot be separated. In a Saturday that has brought three enthralling La Liga fixtures, the fourth has unfortunately failed to live up to that standard.
Baptista is involved moments later as he collects possession in the box before striking towards goal, but Casilla is on hand to make the save. Better tempo from Malaga in the last couple of minutes, but they still cannot find a way through. In truth, they should have wrapped up this game in the first period.
Change for the home side as Saviola is replaced by Duda. Bit of a strange one for me with the likes of Lucas Piazon and Fernandez still on the bench. Osasuna attempt to force the issue on the counter as Sola drives down the left, but Baptista is across to make the challenge.
Malaga continue to pass and prove outside the penalty area, but once more it breaks down with the final pass. Baptista does find an attempt on goal in the melee, but it never had enough power to really trouble the goalkeeper. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in Malaga.
Change for Osasuna, meanwhile, as Sola is replaced by Manuel Omwu. It just has not happened for Sola in the final third this evening, but you can never question his work-rate or desire. It is almost like a pre-season atmosphere inside the stadium as Malaga pass and probe in the opposing half. There is still time for late drama here.
Joaquin attempts to force the issue moments later as he strikes an effort from inside the box, but once more it is straight at the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the home side make another change as the industrious Iturra is replaced by Piazon. That is an attacking change if I have ever seen one. The on-loan Chelsea striker has little over five minutes to make an impact here.
Really scrappy period of the match in the last few minutes with the ball spending more time in the air than on the deck. A half-chance does come for Joaquin as the Malaga winger beats the offside trap before advancing into the box, but Fernandez is once more on hand to make the save. Meanwhile, another change for Osasuna as Masoud replaces De las Cuevas.
Malaga make their third and final change of the match as Joaquin is replaced by Fernandez. Not much time for the Uruguayan to make an impact in this one. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of stoppage time.
Malaga continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the penalty area, but it does appear that there will be no way through this evening. Osasuna will be delighted with the point, but this is an opportunity missed for Malaga make no mistake about that. Little under one minute of stoppage time remaining.
GOAL! Malaga 1-0 Osasuna (Baptista)
Oh my word! Malaga finally make the breakthrough in the final minute of stoppage time as Baptista pounces on a loose ball in the box before thumping his effort into the bottom corner. What a moment for the Brazilian.
FULL-TIME: Malaga 1-0 Osasuna
It is cruel on Osasuna, but you cannot say that Malaga did not deserve it. That result moves them into fifth position in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
