Málaga: Kameni; Rosales, Sergio Sánchez, Weligton, Antunes; Camacho, Sergi Darder (Recio 59‘); Samuel (Horta 61’), Juanmi, Samuel Castillejo; Amrabat (Santa Cruz 77‘). 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Toño; Tito, Amaya, Zé Castro, Insúa (Javier Aquino 29‘); Raúl Baena, Trashorras (Jozabed 52’); Licá, Pozuelo (Manucho 60’), Kakuta; Leo Baptistao. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 06. Samuel. Picked up Amrabat pass and struck shot which hit Zé Castro.
2-0. 21. Sergi Darder. Ran in from behind to turn Antunes cross wide of keeper.
3-0. 45. Juanmi. Collected Amrabat through ball and chipped shot over Toño.
4-0. 49. Amrabat (penalty). After Amaya pulled back Samuel inside the area.
Yellow cards:Rosales 13’, Baptistao 28’, Raúl Baena 37’, Tito 41’, Amaya 48’.
Málaga move above Villarreal to seventh after a comfortable 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in this week’s Sunday mid-day kick-off, a third win in a row for Xavi Gracia’s side. The Andalusians were on top from the first minute, when Amaya had to clear off the line from Samu Castillejo with Toño beaten, and just five minutes later Samuel opened the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area which took a deflection off Zé Castro to wrong-foot the keeper. Sergi Darder made it two in the twentieth minute after Amrabat and Antunes combined to set him up, and shortly before half time Juanmi got the third, picking up Amrabat’s assist before chipping a shot past Toño. Rayo’s only reply had been a half-hearted penalty appeal by Trashorras, and four minutes in to the second half Amrabat completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Amaya pulled down Samuel in the area.