Malaga Debut UEFA Champions League Season Continues
The Spanish side had never before had to overcome a first-leg deficit in UEFA completion but drew level on aggregate thanks to a inspiring volley from Isco in 43rd minute.
The 20-year-old gets his third in this season's tournament and it may be his finest. Slipping the ball out of his feet on the edge of the area, the attacker places a right-footed, curling attempt over the top of Helton and into the top corner. An immense finish. Porto's task was made even harder when. The Belgian received a second yellow in 49th min to leave his side up against it. Joaquin takes the midfielder on down the right, and is brought down, leaving Porto with ten men. And the ten men were made to pay when Santa Cruz nodded in 13 minutes from time, moments after coming. Santa Cruz came in 74th min for Júlio Baptista. The hosts have taken their foot off the gas in the last five minutes, allowing Porto time to establish themselves in midfield again, and even send a few dangerous balls into the home box. Manuel Pellegrini has sent on the Paraguayan to help his side re-establish their dominance.
With
his first touch after coming off the bench, the Paraguayan rises high above
Nicolás Otamendi to meet Isco's outswinging corner from the right, heading down
to Helton's right and finding the back of the net. Málaga's
remarkable debut season in the UEFA Champions League continues, as Isco's gorgeous
first-half attempt was added to by substitute Roque Santa Cruz to overturn a
first-leg deficit and secure a place in the last eight at Porto's disbursement.
The Portuguese champions hard-pressed and prod, Helton
charging forward for a last-gasp free-kick, but Málaga remarkably held out for
their ninth clean sheet in 12 European home games as the final whistle confirmed
Spain's third team in Friday's Quarterfinals draw.
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