MÁLAGA (EFE) - Málaga CF celebrated the end of their winless streak with an emphatic 3-0 victory over CD Eldense at Estadio La Rosaleda on December 18, 2024. This victory marked their first win since mid-November, showcasing their intent to climb from the bottom rungs of LaLiga Hypermotion just as significant VAR drama unfolded.
The match started dynamically, with Málaga finding the net only eight minutes after kickoff. A precise through ball from Manu Molina found Dani Sánchez, whose incisive assist set up Antoñito Cordero. The young forward fired home from the edge of the penalty area, sending the local fans to their feet as Málaga took the early lead.
Despite being rattled by the early goal, Eldense attempted to regroup and pushed forward, hoping to level the scores. Their efforts, though commendable, were thwarted by the well-organized Málaga defense. The visitors came close to equalizing on several occasions but found themselves hampered by missed opportunities and strong saves from goalkeeping hero Alfonso Herrero.
Málaga's second goal came by way of Nelson Monte following another cleverly executed set-piece on the 28th minute. Dani Sánchez swung the ball dangerously, and Monte's powerful header added to the momentum building around Málaga. This was no ordinary performance; it was the first time this season Málaga had scored twice before halftime.
Then came the twist: the VAR became increasingly involved, with frustration evident as the technology negated two more potential goals for Málaga. First up was Einar Galilea's header, which was disallowed after VAR indicated the ball had gone out during the corner kick setup. Just moments later, the system struck again, ruling out Julen Lobete’s goal for allegedly pushing the opponent.
To make matters worse for Eldense, their central defender Iván Martos received two yellow cards within minutes, leaving them to play with ten men just before halftime. This expulsion turned the tides entirely, as Málaga began exploiting the resulting advantages.
After the break, the energy at La Rosaleda remained electric. Málaga pressed hard, creating endless opportunities. They faced more VAR drama; another well-executed play was disallowed as the officials determined David Larrubia had been offside by mere inches. The crowd’s frustration was palpable, yet they continued rallying behind their team.
The final act of this match took place deep in injury time. A foul on the edge of the area led to Kevin Medina stepping up for the free kick. His beautiful strike curled over the wall, leaving Ian Mackay helpless again. This third goal was the cherry on top, sealing the deal for Málaga and giving them much-needed momentum heading forward.
Listening to the post-match reactions, Sergio Pellicer, Málaga’s coach, stated, “We played as we wanted against Eldense, controlling the game and breaking our streak of draws and losses.” Meanwhile, fans voiced their anxieties about how the VAR had played such a disruptive role, causing multiple disallowed goals.
Málaga ended the match with more than just three points; they solidified their standing above the relegation zone, showcasing newfound resilience and attacking flair. On the other hand, CD Eldense has significant issues to address, with their relegation worries intensifying as they face their own challenges.
The jubilant atmosphere around La Rosaleda last night contrasted sharply with the despair filtering through the Eldense camp. Undoubtedly, the festive celebration of Málaga's significant win was marred only by the cloud of VAR's relentless scrutiny.
Hours of effort and determination, culminating this memorable evening surely echoed as one to be cherished for Málaga, with hopes pinned high for future matches. Meanwhile, as Eldense prepares to address their shortcomings, the road to recovery will be arduous and full of hurdles.
