Despite a plethora of chances, Atlético Madrid couldn’t find a winner against Málaga, and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw that will extend the title race to the final day of the season. Samuel put the visitors ahead midway through the second half, but a late equalizer from Toby Alderweireld salvage a point for Los Colchoneros.
Atlético Madrid vs. Málaga: Final score 1-1, Los Colchoneros drop points, but still in control of title hopes
Los Colchoneros drew at home against Málaga, but will still enter the final match day needing just a draw against Barcelona at the Camp Nou to win the title.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Atlético Madrid really should have taken a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute when Raúl García's flick-on from the top of the box found David Villa unmarked, at a full sprint on the left side of the Málaga box. Villa strike was clean, beating Wily Caballero, but instead of finding the back of the net, it hammered off the crossbar and up into the air.
Arda Turn was shown a yellow card for simulation after he went down in the Málaga box, leading to a boisterous penalty shout from Atleéti players and fans alike. The referee was spot on though, as there was minimal contact between Turan and Ignacio Camacho.
In the 39th minute, Koke missed a great chance, completely mis-hitting a low cross from Juanfran, and sending the ball skittering well wide of the far post.
Málaga got a chance to grab a lead in the 60th minute when Roque Santa Cruz got free on the left wing, receiving a long cross field cross right into his path. Before he could even pick out one of his options, Thibaut Courtois came roaring off his line to eliminate Santa Cruz's angles. The shot that finally came was blocked by the sliding Atléti goalkeeper, keeping the match scoreless with 30 minutes left to play.
Five minutes later, Málaga did not waste their chance. Courtois and Toby Alderweireld both failed to deal with a bouncing long ball just outside the Atléti box, sending the ball high up into the air towards the wide open goal, Samu was able to beat João Miranda to the ball and head it into the goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
A hero arrived in the 74th minute after Wily Caballero made a fantastic save on David Villa after a sneaky free kick. On the ensuring corner, Alderweireld -- the man whose mistake helped lead to the Málaga goal -- came up huge, rising above defenders and heading José Sosa’s set piece delivery past Caballero to even the match at 1-1.
In the 88th minute, Marcos Angelieri cleaned out Diego Ribas right on the edge of the box, earning himself a red card dismissal. It appeared that he picked up a yellow for the tackle, and promptly received a second yellow for dissent. Either way, it left Málaga a man down for the final minutes.
Sosa’s attempt on the free kick following the red card went just wide, hitting the side netting.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Caballero somehow denied Adrián with a diving save, as he pushed the ball just wide of the post to secure the draw.
For Atléti, thanks to Barca’s scoreless draw against Elche, they will only need one point next week at the Camp Nou to win the league. For Málaga, the point guarantees their safety, and a place in La Liga for next season.
Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Alderweireld, Filipe Luis, Koke (Adrián 57’), Gabi, Tiago, Turan (Diego 70’), Raúl García (Sosa 63’), David Villa
Goals: Alderweireld (74’)
Málaga: Caballero, Eliseu, Angelieri, Camacho, Weligton, Antunes, Samuel (Juanmi 83’), Darder, Duda, Amrabat (Pawlowski 92’), Santa Cruz (Rescaldani 76’)
Goals: Samuel (65’)
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