Málaga 2 - 1 Athletic Bilbao

Málaga 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

Updated: March 14, 2004, 7:19 PM UK

MALAGA, March 14 (Primera Liga) - Salva Ballesta netted deep into stoppage-time to give Malaga a key victory against fellow European hopefuls Athletic Bilbao.

Salva turned the ball home from close range in the fourth minute of time added on to steal the points after an entertaining encounter.

Athletic's Francisco Yeste had the first opportunity of the game in the opening exchanges.

He raced onto a Aitor Karanka pass before unleashing a strong left-footed shot which home goalkeeper Francesc Arnau did well to save.

The home side responded and almost went ahead in the 13th minute when Jose Luque swung over a corner from the left which Fernando Sanz somehow glanced wide with his head.

Both sides continued to attack and Yeste again tested the home fans' nerves with a drive from 25 yards which went just over the top of Arnau's goal.

After a scrappy 10 minutes Athletic took the lead in controversial circumstances.

Joseba Etxeberria was adjudged to have been fouled by Arnau in the penalty area when it appeared to the other way round, not that Aitor Larrazabal was hanging round to discuss the issue, slotting home from the spot.

The lively Salva then created a great chance for his side to equalise five minutes before the interval.

He beat his man on the right before playing a fine low pass right across the face of goal which Miguel Angel missed, but which Ivan Leko collected.

Leko managed to stab the ball goalwards, but it struck defender Luis Prieto and the visitors cleared.

Malaga started the second period brightly and got back on level terms two minutes after the restart with a somewhat fortunate goal.

Luque's cross from the left caught out visiting goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia, and the ball floated into the net.

Santi Ezquerro came within a whisker of restoring Bilbao's lead in the 57th minute when he was sent clean through one-on-one with Arnau, his shot passing the goalkeeper but trickling inches past the post.

Yeste then bent a neat shot just past the post four minutes after the hour mark when it seemed destined to go in.

The game appeared to be fading out into a draw until Malaga piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

Salva spurned a glorious opportunity when sent clean through, but he would redeem himself with virtually the last kick.

Raul Insua broke down the left wing and delivered a great cross which Salva managed to prod home from inside the six-yard box.