FOXNews.com: Malaga comes from behind to edge Espanyol

FOXNews.com FOX News Network - We Report. You Decide. // via fulltextrssfeed.com

Malaga comes from behind to edge Espanyol Mar 25th 2012, 20:09 Malaga, Spain –  Malaga hit for two goals in the span of three half minutes to come from behind and defeat Espanyol, 2-1, at the El Prat on Sunday. Philippe Coutinho helped the home side get in front with a free kick in the 24th minute. Malaga looked likely to at least level the score by halftime as Enzo Maresca and Isco both struck the post in the opening period, but Espanyol managed to carry the lead into the break. Malaga made amends for the two narrow misses in the second half. Ruud van Nistelrooy came on as a substitute 15 minutes from time and scored with his first touch of the ball, equalizing in the 76th minute. The comeback was completed just three minutes later when Kiko Casilla parried away a header from Salomon Rondon but put it right at the feet of Martin Demichelis, who stuffed home the rebound to earn three crucial points for the visitors and extend their unbeaten run in La Liga play to six games. The result sees Malaga strengthen its hope for European soccer next season as it goes level with Valencia for third place. Both sides are deadlocked on 47 points, but Valencia holds the edge with a superior goal differential. Espanyol, which also harbors hopes of finishing in fourth place, drops to seventh on 40 points, picking up just one point from its last two matches. Osasuna 2, Levante 0 Valencia, Spain - Osasuna scored on opposite sides of halftime to earn a 2-0 win over Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia on Sunday. Raul Garcia gave the visitors the lead in the 16th minute with a superb finish from Nino's flick-on. Their roles were reversed 11 minutes from time as Garcia provided the helping hand for Nino to double Osasuna's advantage and seal all three points. Osasuna, unbeaten in its last six league matches, improves to 43 points on the season, one point shy of fifth-place Levante. Real Zaragoza 1, Atletico Madrid 0 Aragon, Spain - Real Zaragoza picked up three massive points in its bid to avoid relegation as it garnered a late goal to defeat Atletico Madrid, 1-0, at the Estadio La Romareda on Sunday. The home side was awarded a penalty kick deep into second-half stoppage time after Diego Godin brought down Helder Postiga in the box. Apono stepped up and converted the ensuing kick to lift Zaragoza to 25 points and a second consecutive win. Atletico has lost two of its last three league contests and sits eighth in Spain's top flight with 39 points, eight points shy of fourth place. Athletic Bilbao 1, Sporting Gijon 1 Bilbao, Spain - Athletic Bilbao's domestic struggles continued on Sunday when it was denied three points by a late Sporting Gijon equalizer as the two sides played to a 1-1 draw at San Mames. Oscar de Marcos thought he had given Bilbao the win with a goal 13 minutes from time, but Alberto Lora struck in the 90th minute keep Sporting within touching distance of La Liga safety. Athletic Bilbao has failed to pick up a win in its last four league outings, leaving the club 10th in the table on 38 points. Sporting Gijon remains in the relegation zone on 25 points, sitting seven points shy of a spot away from danger. Villarreal 2, Rayo Vallecano 0 Madrid, Spain - Villarreal pulled further away from the relegation zone on Sunday with a 2-0 defeat of Rayo Vallecano at the Teresa Rivero. Marco Ruben gave the Yellow Submarine the lead in the 30th minute, but the Argentine missed the chance to double Villarreal's lead in the 54th minute when he failed to convert from the penalty spot. Angel Lopez was able to ultimately secure a two-goal victory as the Spanish defender found the back of the net four minutes from time. The result creates a six-point gap between the relegation zone and safety as Villarreal tows the right side of that line on 31 points. Rayo Vallecano has lost two straight to remain on 37 points. Real Betis 1, Racing 1 Seville, Spain - Christian Stuani bagged a second-half equalizer to help Racing avoid a fifth straight defeat on Sunday as it played to a 1-1 draw with Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin. Roque Santa Cruz, who is on loan from Manchester City, opened the scoring for Real Betis in the 19th minute, but Stuani popped up 12 minutes from time to earn a share of the points for the Verdiblancos. Real Betis has drawn two straight as it sits seven points clear of danger, while Racing sits tied with Sporting Gijon and Real Zaragoza in the relegation zone on 25 points apiece.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions