Málaga and Deportivo share points at La Rosaleda
Málaga played Deportivo La Coruña to a 1:1 draw in the second round of La Liga on Sunday evening. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring before Chupe struck from the penalty spot to level matters. The result keeps Málaga rooted to the bottom of the table while Deportivo move further clear of the relegation zone.
And here's the thing about the opening goal — it came at the right moment for the visitors. Aubameyang found space in the box around the twenty-first minute and finished clinically. Málaga had been comfortable in possession but their defensive shape slipped at a crucial point. The away side sensed blood and took their chance without hesitation.
By then the visitors had seen their advantage evaporate. Chupe converted from the spot in the thirty-fourth minute after a foul inside the area. It was a fair call and the penalty taker showed no nerves. Málaga's response was immediate in terms of energy, though their chances remained elusive.
The yellow cards began to accumulate as the match grew tighter. Mario Soriano went off the board in the twenty-fifth minute, followed by Giacomo Quagliata and David Larrubia for Deportivo. Bil Nsongo received the final booking of the evening with nine minutes remaining. The substitutions came in waves — Málaga brought on three players at once in the seventy-third minute, while Deportivo responded with their own changes.
The statistics tell a story of different approaches. Málaga dominated possession at 55 per cent and created more clear-cut opportunities with two big chances against one. Their expected goals figure of 1.95 suggests they should have scored more, but their shots accuracy of fifteen per cent tells a different tale. Deportivo were more efficient — four shots on target from five attempts, with an expected goals reading of 1.12 that they matched with a goal.
The result leaves Málaga twenty-first with three points from three matches, while Deportivo sit eighth with five. The visitors extended their unbeaten run to four games across all competitions, having drawn with Elche and Fiorentina before beating Genoa. Málaga's form has been inconsistent — a 2:2 draw with Fulham and a defeat to Atlético Madrid frame this latest stalemate. One mistake ends it for teams at this level, and neither side gave the other an opening to capitalise on.
