Malaga continued their pursuit of a first La Liga goal of the season in Saturday's home game against Real Sociedad.
The hosts set an unwanted record last weekend, with their 0-0 draw at Real Madrid making it the first time in La Liga history that a team has failed to score in their opening six league games of the season.
Malaga were 2-0 ahead inside seven minutes against Sociedad, however, with Charles scoring both goals.
The visitors were back in the game in the 14th minute when Imanol Agirretxe headed home from inside the box, but that is how the score remained after the first half of action.
Malaga were reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes when Fernando Tissone picked up his second yellow card, but Charles completed his hat trick late on as the home side recorded their first league win of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Real Sociedad. Incredibly, Malaga have still not scored a single league goal this season, but they put in a much-improved performance against Real Madrid last time out. Can Sociedad make it another blank for Javi Gracia's outfit? We shall see! Both managers will enter this game under a degree of pressure.
First and foremost, time for the team news from Malaga...
TEAMS
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Weligton, Angeleri, Torres; Tissone, Recio, Duda; Juankar, Charles, Cop
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Elustondo, Inigo, Reyes, De la Bella; Illarra, Pardo, Zurutuza; Canales, Agirretxe, Vela
So there we have it. Malaga boss Javi Gracia has made three changes to the team that faced Real Madrid last time out, with Duda, Charles and Duje Cop replacing Nordin Amrabat, Pablo Fornals and Adnane Tighadouini. Amrabat would have been suspended for this game following his red against Los Blancos, but the Turk is also facing a period on the sidelines with a knee problem.
As for Sociedad, it is the same XI that started the 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao last time out. That means that Xabi Prieto and Jonathas remain on the bench, with Imanol Agirretxe and Ruben Pardo both selected. Carlos Vela will once again lead the team, while Asier Illarramendi continues in the middle of the park. Bruma and Mikel Bergara are also on the bench for the visitors.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Sociedad have won four of the last eight games, losing just once in the process. Last season, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in this stadium, but Malaga recorded a 1-0 victory at Sociedad earlier in the campaign. Recent history suggests that there will not be many goals tonight, with just four scored in their last four meetings.
As mentioned, Malaga have still not scored a single league goal this season. As a result, they are the first team in La Liga history to start a season with six consecutive blanks. That run of form has left them in 19th position in the table having started with three draws and three defeats.
While it has been a disappointing start for Malaga, they picked up a very good point at Real Madrid last weekend in what was easily their best performance of the season. All three of their league defeats this season have been by the one goal, meanwhile, which suggests that better times are around the corner. Tonight is a good chance to bring some joy back to the supporters here.
As for Sociedad, they have collected six points from their first six matches this season having won once, drawn three times and lost twice thus far. Their two defeats came against Real Betis and Espanyol, but they are currently on a two-game unbeaten run in Spain's top flight, having beaten Espanyol 3-0 on September 22 and drew 0-0 with Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
It has been suggested that there is some pressure on head coach David Moyes and defeat this evening would only further increase the scrutiny. The Scot led the Basque side to a 12th-place finish last season, but improvement is wanted this time around. It remains to be seen whether Moyes can lead this team into the top half of the table. As it stands, they sit in 14th position in the table.
Two clean sheets in a row is a major positive for Sociedad, however, and another this evening would make it the first time since January 2012 that they have managed three consecutive shutouts. Atletico Madrid are the visitors in their next game, which makes this evening even more important.
PREDICTION! I really do not want to back a goalless draw this evening, so I won't. It did enter my mind, but I am hopeful that we will see some goals - lord knows Malaga need them. There is not too much between the two XIs and I am going to plump for a 1-1 draw at La Rosaleda.
KICK OFF! Will this be the game where Malaga end their long goalless streak? Sociedad will hope not! It is the visitors that get the first 45 minutes of action underway on this warm evening in Malaga...
... not a full house this evening, but there is a good atmosphere, with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. It has been a decent start from the home side, with Torres already delivering a dangerous cross from the left. Sociedad's back four have started out in a very deep position.
Half-chance for Malaga as Juan Carlos strikes one from a wide angle, but it was always rolling past Rulli's post. Well, let's hope that the game continues to progress with this level of energy.
GOAL! Malaga 1-0 Sociedad (Charles)
Six league games without scoring, but finally Malaga have found the back of the net! It is a super goal as well, with Charles collecting a pass from Recio before volleying one past Rulli.
Safe to say that Moyes did not look overly pleased with his team's defending for that Malaga goal. It was good skill from Charles, but he had a lot of time to set himself and finish into the bottom corner. The home supporters are full of noise at the moment and why not, their team has lift-off.
GOAL! Malaga 2-0 Sociedad (Charles)
Like a London bus! Malaga wait all season to score - well six games - and now they have two in one night. Again it is poor defending from Sociedad as Charles is allowed to sprint though on goal before lifting his effort over the onrushing Rulli. Disaster for the visitors, but utter jubilation for Malaga.
Is that game over already? Not quite, but Sociedad have given themselves a mountain to climb and they are not exactly a team full of goals and that is putting it kindly. The hosts look a completely different side as they continue to pass and probe in attack, before Recio fires over Rulli's crossbar.
Sociedad have managed to enjoy a period of possession in the last couple of moments, but they have not made an impression in the final third, with Vela and Agirretxe spectators thus far.
Malaga were very impressive against Real Madrid last time out and they have started this game like they finished the one at the Bernabeu. Sociedad continue to concede possession in dangerous areas, which is inviting pressure from the likes of Charles and Cop. The hosts are in total control here.
GOAL! Malaga 2-1 Sociedad (Agirretxe)
What was I saying about Sociedad? The visitors are back in this game as Zurutuza whips a beautiful cross onto the head of Agirretxe, who angles his effort past Kameni. Game very much on now!
I had a horrible feeling that this game would finish goalless, but we have had three goals inside the opening 15 minutes. With the way that both teams are defending, we should have more tonight!
Sociedad are growing with each passing minute here as Vela and Canales start to see more of the ball in forward areas. The latter slides a super pass into Agirretxe, but the striker was standing in an offside position. Both managers are on the touchline after a bizarre opening 19 minutes here.
CLOSE! Sociedad come close to levelling as Zurutuza again delivers onto the head of Agirretxe, but his effort just moves wide of the post. That seems a good option for the visitors here.
Sociedad are in control of the possession at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, with Vela coming deep to see more of the ball. Moyes must be pleased with his team's response to falling 2-0 behind, but the away side's defending early on was very poor indeed.
Tissone finds space outside the Sociedad box, but his low strike is straight into Rulli.
Half-chance for Sociedad this time as Vela drops his shoulder outside the Malaga box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Kameni dives across his goal to make a fairly simple save.
CHANCE! Agirretxe is causing Malaga all sorts of problems this evening and the striker again comes close for Sociedad with a header, but this time, his effort is straight at Kameni.
It must be said that the opening 30 minutes of this match have just flown past. It seems a long time ago that Charles sent Malaga 2-0 ahead, but Agirretxe has since had one back for the visitors. In truth, we have not seen too much of the hosts as an attacking threat since the early stages.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Malaga still lead 2-1, but it is Sociedad that are in control at the moment. Strangely, there has not been a single booking thus far, but thinking about it, there have not been that many challenges. The play has flowed pretty nicely.
BOOKING! Tissone (Malaga) is booked for handball.
CHANCES! Twice Malaga come close to scoring a third as Duda strikes one from outside the box, which is spilled by Rulli to Cop, but the Sociedad goalkeeper manages to get an important touch to the ball. Poor from Rulli in the first incident, but excellent in the second. More like it from Malaga!
BOOKING! Recio (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Vela.
That booking for Recio means that he is suspended for Malaga's next league game, which is against Valencia after the international break. Well, we are into the latter stages of the first period here and the home side still lead 2-1 courtesy of that pair of early goals from their striker Charles.
CROSSBAR! Sociedad hit the crossbar as Agirretxe finds space inside the Malaga box before floating one towards the top corner. It hits the woodwork, however, and Zurutuza is offside.
Possession football from Malaga as we approach the latter stages of this first period.
I feared that this would be a pretty poor game in terms of chances and action, but it has been a very enjoyable thus far. The first 45 minutes have just flown past and Malaga still lead 2-1 here.
BOOKING! Elustondo (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Juan Carlos.
Just the one minute of added time at the end of this first period.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 2-1 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Malaga leading Sociedad 2-1. The home side were two goals ahead inside seven minutes courtesy of a double from Charles, but Agirretxe got Sociedad back in the game in the 14th minute. It has been an entertaining half of action.
STATS! Sociedad have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had six attempts, three of which have been on target. Malaga, meanwhile, have had eight attempts and hit the target five times. There have also been three yellow cards following some feisty challenges late in the half.
BENCH WATCH! Malaga have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Anor, Fornals, Horta and Tighadouini all capable of making a difference. Sociedad, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Bruma, Jonathas and Prieto. Two strong benches this evening.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. More of the same from the first please! It is the home side that restart the action at La Rosaleda...
... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both will already have some alterations in mind. This is so finely balanced here.
It has been a decent start to the second period from Malaga, with Recio and Duda moving the ball in the middle of the park. Duda finds space down the right before attempting to deliver, but De la Bella comes across to foul the Portuguese and actually picks up an injury himself in the process.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Vela finds space in a wide area before curling one towards goal, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Kameni. Open game at La Rosaleda this evening.
There has not been a clear chance in this second half, but both teams are still committing plenty of players forward each time they have an opportunity to break. We are waiting for a spark here.
POST! Malaga almost score a third as De la Bella turns onto his own post from close range, before tapping it back to his goalkeeper, who picks it up. Malaga have an indirect free kick here...
... BOOKING! Vela (Sociedad) is booked for trying to gain an extra yard.
Finally Duda strikes towards goal, but it hits two players before bouncing behind for a corner. All 11 Sociedad players were lined up like soldiers there! Oh how I love indirect free kicks.
Little over 30 minutes of this match remaining and Malaga still lead 2-1. It seems a long time since Agirretxe got Sociedad back into the game and you sense that there are more goals in this one.
SAVE! Agirretxe remains the main threat for Sociedad and the striker again comes close from a bending effort just outside the box, but Kameni flies across his goal to make a strong save.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes, but there is no movement on either bench at the moment. Duda continues to win a host of free kicks for Malaga in the Sociedad half, but the visitors have been strong defensively since that poor start.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both teams continue to battle for possession of the ball, but neither goalkeeper has been particularly worried in this second period. We have not seen an awful lot from Malaga's forward players since the early stages of the game.
Vela continues to pick up pockets for the visitors, but the Mexican has been guilty of taking too many touches outside the box and that again sees Sociedad's latest attack break down here.
Juan Carlos finds space in a wide area before attempting to bend one into the bottom corner, but Rulli is on hand to make the save. Sociedad break straight down the other end, but Canales's low cross, which was aimed for De la Bella, is cleared by Angeleri at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Agirretxe again comes close for Sociedad after meeting another cross from Canales, but his header is over the crossbar. Agirretxe has been a real problem for Malaga this evening.
MALAGA SUB! Juanpi replaces Duda in Malaga's first change.
Still no movement on the Sociedad bench, which is a surprise with little under 20 minutes remaining. I suspect that Jonathas will be itching to make his mark in the final third. You still get the feeling that there is another goal in this game as both teams continue to press forward.
Right on cue, Jonathas starts to get ready...
... RED CARD! Malaga are reduced to 10 men as Tissone picks up his second yellow of the match for a really late challenge on Zurutuza. Well, that has put a different spin on this game!
SOCIEDAD SUB! Jonathas replaces Zurutuza.
MALAGA SUB! Malaga respond with a change as Fornals replaces Cop.
BOOKING! Cop (Malaga) is booked for taking too long to leave the field.
BOOKING! Charles (Malaga) is booked for his reaction to a challenge from Reyes, which brings a host of players into the action. More handbags than anything else and Charles is the only booking.
Half-chance for the home side as Juanpi finds space in the final third before trying his luck on goal, but it was always a comfortable save for Rulli. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and 10-man Malaga still lead Sociedad 2-1 at La Rosaleda. All three goals came in the opening 14 minutes, with Charles striking twice for the hosts before Agirretxe got Sociedad back in the game.
Moyes is preparing a double change here as Bruma and Prieto receive their instructions...
... SOCIEDAD SUBS! Bruma and Prieto replace Canales and Elustondo.
Sociedad have little over 10 minutes to snatch a point, or possibly more, from this game. Moyes has made all three subs now and it is up to those on the field to produce some magic here.
Kameni makes a quite stunning save to deny Vela from a point-blank header, but the Mexican was offside and therefore it would not have counted even if he managed to beat the Malaga stopper.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Agirretxe has the ball in the back of the net for Sociedad after converting a deep cross, but the striker was in an offside position. Good pressure from the visitors at the moment.
Sociedad are the team on the front foot at the moment, with Malaga dropping deeper and deeper in a bid to hold onto their lead. On balance, Sociedad probably deserve at least a point here.
Sociedad continue to create as Reyes delivers a super cross into Jonathas, but under pressure from Weligton, the striker can only fire into the stands. Little over five minutes remaining here.
The chances keep coming as Agirretxe heads over the crossbar from close range.
Malaga are having to ride their luck at the moment as Sociedad, who now have Jonathas and Agirretxe in the final third, continue to cause problems. Still time for the visitors in this one.
Charles has not had many chances for Malaga since scoring twice in the opening seven minutes, but the Brazilian has won a number of important free kicks in the last 10 minutes, which has eased the pressure on his side. Reyes fires over from a wide angle as Malaga survive more pressure here.
GOAL! Malaga 3-1 Sociedad (Charles)
Charles completes his hat trick for the home side as the Brazilian reacts inside a crowded box before finishing into a bottom corner. Brilliant work from Rosales had brought about the initial Malaga attack and the 10 men have now surely secured all the points for the first time this season.
MALAGA SUB! Tighadouini replaces Charles.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes here.
Sociedad have been firmly on the front foot since Tissone was sent off, but a killer goal on the counter means that they will once again fail to win in Spain's top flight. More misery for Moyes.
Not an awful lot to report in the final moments as Malaga edge closer to all three points.
FULL-TIME: Malaga 3-1 Sociedad
So there we have it. Malaga finally win and indeed score in La Liga as three goals from Brazilian forward Charles gives them a 3-1 win over Sociedad, who huffed and puffed but were lacking quality in the final third of the field. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
