Málaga 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Málaga: Arnau; Josemi, Fernando Sanz (Manu 56'), Litos, Valcarce; Leko, Miguel Angel; Gerardo, Edgar (Canabal 65'), Luque (Insúa 77'); Salva. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Javi González, Luis Prieto, Karanka, Larrazábal (Del Horno 82'); Iraola, Gurpegui, Tiko (Orbaiz 63'), Yeste (Urzaiz 72'); Etxeberría, Ezquerro. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Málaga: Fernando Sanz, Luque for Juanito, Duda / Athletic: Larrazábal, Iraola, Gurpegui for Del Horno, Orbaiz, Urzaiz.

Goals:
0-1. 38. Larrazábal (penalty). After Arnau brought down Etxeberría in area.
1-1. 47. Luque. Cut in from left and fired lofted shot over head of Aranzubia.
2-1. 91. Salva. Ran on to Insúa through ball and forced shot past keeper.

Athletic Bilbao fell nine points behind the top four after losing 2-1 at Málaga, although they held on to fifth spot after the teams below them failed to take advantage. Spanish manager Iñaki Sáez was there to watch local striker Salva, but he had to wait until the last minute of injury time to see him fight his way through, bandaged head and all, to score the winner for the Andalucians, his sixteenth league goal of the season.

The visitors had taken the lead with a first half Larrazábal penalty after Arnau brought down Etxeberría in the area, but Luque had equalised after the restart with a cross-come-shot which dipped in over the head of Aranzubia. Athletic looked the most likely to score after that, Arnau saving from Etxeberría and substitute Urzaiz heading against the post. Ezquerro had another chance at the end, but the defence got the ball up to Insúa and the rest is history. The result takes Málaga to within three points of their opponents, albeit they remain six places behind them in eleventh spot.