Zenit: Malafeev; Anyukov (Bystrov 81'), Bruno
Alves, Lombaerts, Hubocan; Witsel, Denisov, Shirokov (Fayzulin 71'); Hulk,
Kerzhakov, Danny. 4-3-3.
Málaga: Willy Caballero;
Jesús Gámez, Demichelis (Weligton 46'), Onyewu, Eliseu; Camacho,
Toulalan; Seba Fernández (Juanmi 73'), Buonanotte, Duda (Portillo 62');
Santa Cruz. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 08. Buonanotte. Controlled Seba's cross and
steered shot past keeper.
0-2. 09. Seba. Curled shot into net after Santa
Cruz intercepted Malafeev pass
1-2. 49. Danny. Picked up return Hubocan
pass and fired shot past Caballero.
2-2. 87. Fayzulin. Collected Camacho
clearance and fired shot back in to net.
Málaga already sealed their place in the last sixteen a fortnight ago, but they still needed a point at Zenit in the first match of Wednesday evening to tie up top spot in group C. They seemed to be well on the way when they scored twice with less than ten minutes on the clock, Buonanotte picking up a Seba Fernández cross to make himself space to beat Malafeev, and the veteran keeper giving the ball away to Santa Cruz a minute later for the striker to set up Fernández for the second. Zenit's big money signing missed a couple of chances, and Caballero pulled off a couple of excellent saves from Kerzakhov and Hubocan before the half time interval, but four minutes after the restart Danny got one back for the Saint Petersburg based side after combining with Hubocan. Málaga held on though until three minutes from the end, when an effort from Danny was scrambled clear only as far as Fayzulin, who found a gap inside the near post to fire home the equalizer. However any hope the Russian side had of winning the game ended when substitute Bystrov was sent off in injury time, and they now have to fight out third place with Anderlecht, Málaga's opponents in the last group game.