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Copa del Rey | Round Five
Jan 13, 2015 at 9pm UK
 

3-2

Barral (70', 73'), Juanfran (85')
Barral (90')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Horta (22'), Recio (38')

Live Commentary: Levante 3-2 Malaga - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the second leg of the Copa del Rey tie between Malaga and Levante.
2

Malaga have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey after holding on for a 4-3 aggregate win over Levante, despite losing on the night.

The visitors added to their two-goal lead in the first leg with goals from Ricardo Horta and Recio in the first half.

Levante came back in the second half though through a quick-fire David Barral brace, while the substitute set up a late goal from Juanfran before being sent off.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening! It's just half an hour until Malaga will be looking to sure up their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, taking a two-goal lead into the second leg of their tie against strugglers Levante. Let's start with a look at the team news.

LEVANTE STARTING XI: Fernandez, Tono, Rodas, Juanfran, Lopez, El Zhar, Garcia, Gavilan, Adoua, Camarasa, Martins

MALAGA STARTING XI: Ochoa, Angeleri, Roberto, Casado, Torres, Samu, Horta, Recio, Alberto, Juanpi, Juanmi

LEVANTE SUBSTITUTES: Marino, Lopez, Vyntra, Karabelas, Xumetra, Simao, Barral

MALAGA SUBSTITUTES: Kameni, Antunes, Filipenko, Duda, Castillejo, Darder, Amrabat

Despite Malaga just needing to maintain their lead from the first leg, they've still named a fairly strong team this evening. Juanpi and Ricardo Horta, who scored the goals in the first leg earlier this month. Roque Santa Cruz, who is the team's top scorer this season, has left to join Cruz Azul.

Levante have struggled for goals all season, scoring just 13 in their 18 outings in the league, while letting in 33. They'll be hoping that Rafael Martins can end his goal drought, as he's the only striker named in the starting lineup this evening. David Barral is on the bench though if they need some extra fire power in the second half.

If you want to remind yourself what happened in the first leg of this tie, why not check out our match report from last week's meeting at Estadio La Rosedela.

It will take a big performance from Levante to turn this tie around tonight. Lucas Alcaraz's side have not won in their last nine outings in all competitions, and have lost two of their last three. The hosts have already faced Malaga in the league this season, sharing a goalless draw with them back in September.

Here's some of the Malaga players getting on the team coach ready for this match earlier:


One player who will be worth keeping an eye on this evening is Malaga keeper Guillermo Ochoa. The Mexican international has been linked with a move away from the club during this window, with Liverpool among those linked with the keeper, although Malaga have denied that a deal has already been done with Brendan Rodgers's side.

PREDICTION! With the players in the tunnel, there's just time for a quick prediction before kickoff. An away goal for Malaga with need Levante needing four, so the visitors will surely be pushing for an early goal, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a 1-0 win for Malaga this evening.

Right then, the players are just about ready to get the match underway.

KICKOFF! Levante get the match underway.

It's worth noting that there are very few fans in the ground for the home team, who have given their supporters little to cheer about recently. Those that have shown up are working hard to try and get their players going, but the atmosphere is a little lacking.

As expected, Malaga are pressing early on as Juanpi tries to play his way in down the left, before Alberto is tripped, winning a free kick on the wing. He tries to curls the ball in, but it's easily claimed by Jesus Fernandez. Ruben Garcia attempts a quick counter-attack, but his effort is comfortably blocked.

Malaga are being kept in their own half, but they're easily winning the early possession battle. Angeleri forces a break with a long ball forward, which eventually find Casado, but Juanpi can't control his ball into the box, and it goes out for a throw in.

Ricardo Horta tried to get involved, weaving his way around Lopez to play his way into the box, but Hector Rodas was on hand to make the block.

The home side force the first corner of the night, but El Zhar's ball into the box is quickly cleared. Malaga try to catch their opponents out with a quick break, and Juanmi is given plenty of time and space, but his low effort is scuffed, failing to really stretch Fernandez.

Levante are starting to find their rhythm, winning a throw in near the corner flag, which Pedro Lopez tries to cross, forcing Roberto to put it behind for a corner. Eventually though, Recio gets it clear for Malaga, who immediately apply pressure down the other end. There have certainly been a few bright moments from Levante, but they've looked vulnerable in the opening stages.

Levante continue to push, winning another corner, but Gavilan's curled effort into the box is headed away from Recio. While Levante are starting to see more of the ball, Malaga are looking tight at the back so far.

PENALTY APPEAL! The home side want a spot kick as Ruben Garcia appears to be barged to the ground from Casado. While there was definitely contact, he made the most of it as he tumbled dramatically to the ground, and the referee isn't buying it.

GOAL! Levante 0-1 Malaga (Ricardo Horta)

From nowhere, Malaga take the lead, adding an away goal to their 2-0 first-leg victory. After winning a free kick at the back, Samu collects the ball in midfield, and times his through-ball superbly to pick out Ricardo Horta. The winger sprints to the edge of the box, causing Fernandez to dive too soon for the save, leaving Horta with a simple finish into the bottom corner. It's hard to see Levante making it into the last eight now.

Levante have barely had a touch since conceding, with the visitors just keeping possession amongst the back four. Luis Albert suddenly produces a superb high ball forward for Horta again, but this time the keeper is ready and comes off his line to collect it before the goalscorer can get another shot away.

Malaga are in complete control at the moment as Rosales Roberto bursts down the right flank before his cross is blocked. Alberto quickly wins it back, but his through-ball for Horta is cleared.

BOOKING! Jaime Gavilan is the first player to receive a yellow card, and it's a bit of a picky one from the referee, given Levante's aggregate deficit, as he books the midfielder for taking a free kick before he had blown the whistle.

Malaga patiently pass the ball around in the middle, but Samu tries to hurry the move, attempting an ambitious effort from almost at the halfway line, but it was nowhere near the target.

The fight seems to have completely gone from Levante now. While Malaga aren't in any rush, the home side have hardly had a touch in the last 10 minutes, and a barely running at their opponents, despite them slowly passing the ball around the back four. This surely won't impress the already rather sparse crowd.

For the first time in what feels like ages, the Malaga defenders have some work to do as Garcia crosses the ball in for Rafael Martins, but his header is easily claimed by Ochoa.

GOAL! Levante 0-2 Malaga (Recio)

Just like that, it's another goal for Malaga, coming from another pacy attack. Juanmi makes the run down the right before trying to find Alberto in the box. The midfielder misreads the ball, allowing Rodas to kick it clear, but he only gets the ball to Recio, who hits it first time from the edge of the box to double the visitors' lead on the night, and extend it to 4-0 on aggregate.

With a trip to Sevilla coming at the weekend for Malaga, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the visitors making changes early in the second half to rest some of their regulars. Levante need to focus on the league too though, as they're currently in the relegation zone.

CHANCE! For the first time tonight Ochoa has to be ready as Pedro Lopez collects a high ball forward from Rafael. The keeper dives to stop the sliced effort, but he never touches it, as Lopez's ball is glanced behind.

HALF TIME: Levante 0-2 Malaga

The referee plays not stoppage time at the end of the first half, as there have been very few pauses in all honesty. The home side needed to score twice this evening, but they've let the visitors double their lead, and the away goals rule means Levante need a miracle in the second half.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the opening 45 minutes. Malaga edged the possession with 59%. Levante have had five shots so far, with just one on target, although that effort lacked power, giving Ochoa an easy save. Malaga have only had one shot more, but four of them have been on target, two of which resulted in goals.

With the draw for the remainder of the competition already done, we know that Malaga, barring some heroics from Levante in the second half, will face either Celta Vigo or Athletic Bilbao. They play their second leg tomorrow.

The good news for Malaga is that Valencia, who were the highest ranged side in their half of the draw, were knocked out by Espanyol earlier. You can read about that here.

The players are making their way back out ready for the second half, with the home side back a couple of minutes early.

KICKOFF! The second half is underway at Ciutat de Valencia.

Malaga almost extend their lead just moments after the restart as Levante are undone yet again by a well-timed ball forward, this time from Alberto, but Juanmi couldn't quite reach it this time.

Camarasa tries to set something up for the hosts, connecting with Tono as they try to find a way into the Malaga box. They manage to force a free kick when Rodas is tripped by Juanmi. It's in a decent position, but the delivery fails to find Juanfran, floating harmlessly behind.

Malaga are starting to dominate the possession again, but Juanmi is beaten by a solid tackle from Adoua to prevent him setting up a chance for another goal for the visitors. In other news, it looks like Levante are starting to get their substitutes ready.

From nowhere, Levante almost get the better of Malaga with a move reminiscent of the ones that gave the visitors their goals, but Camarasa loses out to Casado for a corner. Theres's a shot in a bit of a scramble in the box, but Angeleri is there is stop the effort, which last came off Rodas.

The crowd have now taken to cheering every time the home side complete a pass, which doesn't say much for their expectations of the Levante side. The home side have started to show a bit more promise in the last five minutes though as Rodas gets a cross in again, but it's blocked by Rosales.

SUB! The home side make a double change, sending on David Barral and Jordi Xumetra in place of Nabil El Zhar and Jaime Gavilan, who remains the only play to booked so far this evening.

CHANCE! Alberto crosses the ball in for Juanmi, who manages to lose Juanfran for a free header at the goal, but Fernandez parries it clear before eventually claiming it.

SUB! The visitors make their first change of the night, taking off Marcos Angeleri for Yegor Filipenko, who recently joined from BATE.

Samu and Rosales link up on the edge of the box, with the latter curling in a cross, which looks like it's going behind. Fernandez jumps up the claim it, even though it was going out, and in doing so concedes a corner. The keeper's blushes are spared though, as Recio's delivery goes behind before it reaches the box.

SUB! It's a another change for the visitors as Samu is replaced by namesake Samu Casteillejo.

GOAL! Levante 1-2 Malaga (David Barral)

The Levante fans finally have something to cheer as the home side win a free kick. Ochoa palms the initial strike clear, but it's played back in, and Barral is left with an easy tap in at the far corner.

BOOKING! Pedro Lopez gives away a free kick at the other end, and talks himself into a yellow card after protesting the decision.

GOAL! Levante 2-2 Malaga (David Barral)

Talk about super-sub! David Barral has now got two in the space of four minutes after only coming of the bench a few minutes beforehand. It's another quick break that is the undergoing of Malaga, allowing Barral to hold off Rosales before rifling the ball beneath Ochoa. They still need three goals to win the tie, but a draw on the night would certainly boost the hosts' confidence, and with 15 minutes still to go a third isn't out of the question.

BOOKING! Barral and Rosales clash while the striker runs at the Levante defence again, but this time he gets too physical and picks up a yellow card.

SUB! Malaga make their final change, sending on Sergi Darder in place of Juanpi.

CHANCE! Barral is in again as he meets a Camarasa cross with a powerful header, but Ochoa gets his fingertips to it to deny the substitute a hat-trick.

Levante are really pressing for a late winner on the night, with Barral playing the ball in for Rafael Garcia, but his finish is straight at Ochoa.

Barral continues to push for his hat-trick as he charges towards the Malaga goal again to meet a Camarasa cross, but he slices his finish just wide of the near post. It probably wouldn't have counted though, as the substitute was well offside, although the official didn't appear to raise his flag.

GOAL! Levante 3-2 Malaga (Juanfran)

The hosts force a corner, and it's whipped in towards Barral. The goalscorer can't get his header towards goal, but he manages to nod it on for Juanfran, who lashes it into the roof of the net to give Levante an unlikely lead on the night, but they still need two to win the tie.

Barral is making a move again as Rafael whips the ball in towards the substitute, but this time his finish is a fraction wide. Barral really has made a superb impact, not just with his goals, but his all-round contriburtion. You have to wonder what would have happened if he's started this evening.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Barral find the back of the net again, turning in a free kick, but the referee rules it out for a hand ball.

RED CARD! Barral is booked for the handball, which he really can't have any complaints about, and he'd already had a yellow, so he's off. It's a disappointing end to what has been an eventful 30-minute stint from the substitute striker.

FULL TIME: Levante 3-2 Malaga

MALAGA WIN 4-3 ON AGGREGATE!

Despite an admirable comeback from Levante, Malaga survive to book their place in the last eight of the Copa del Rey.

The good news for Levante is that their nine-match losing streak is over. Although it's a defeat on aggregate, the 3-2 win on the night is Levante's first since November!

Well that's all from this match, but join us again tomorrow when the round of 16 continues. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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Malaga's forward Juanmi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Malaga CF vs Athletic Club Bilbao at the Rosaleda stadium in Malaga on November 25, 2013
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