Spanish La Liga

Malaga hit back to sink Getafe

A stunning late rally from Malaga maintained their position at the top of Spain's Primera Division after they claimed a 3-2 win over Getafe.

Malaga were briefly knocked off the top by Valencia - but the Andalusian side reclaimed pole position after their triumph.

Getafe led 2-1 in the 88th minute courtesy of goals from Pedro Leon and substitute Miku, either side of Ruud van Nistelrooy's equaliser.

But Enzo Maresca tapped in a scruffy equaliser, before Julio Baptista won it with a stunning overhead kick.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side in the 19th minute - but Joaquin Sanchez's effort from 12 yards went wide.

Van Nistelrooy had a 24th-minute effort saved, while Daniel Guiza's right foot effort from 25 yards, which flew wide, was the visitors' best attempt of the first half.

After a quiet start to the second half, the visitors broke the deadlock in stunning fashion when Leon teed the ball up and volleyed left-footed past goalkeeper Caballero Willy and into the top corner of the goal.

However, the home side were level in the 64th minute when van Nistelrooy headed in at the far post after a Joaquin free-kick had only been partially cleared.

Miku came on in the 69th minute and after Eliseu had gone close for the home side two minutes later, Miku restored Getafe's lead when he rose to convert Juan Valera's cross.

The home side protested the striker had used his hand - but television replays were inconclusive.

However, although the goal stood the visitors had midfielder Mehdi Lacen dismissed for second a bookable offence in the aftermath of the goal.

Malaga stepped up the pressure and after Maresca had gone close he levelled the scores in the 88th minute, tapping in after Alarcon Isco had seen an effort saved by Getafe goalkeeper Jordi Codina.

And the comeback was completed in injury-time when Baptista crashed an overhead kick into the net to win it for the home side, following good work from Jose Rondon.