Malaga vs Atletico Madrid. Spanish La Liga.
La RosaledaAttendance24,500.
Saturday 11 April 2015 22:33, UK
Antoine Griezmann rescued a point for Atletico Madrid as they fought back to draw 2-2 with Malaga in a thrilling Primera Division encounter at La Rosaleda.
The French forward made the most of an embarrassing goalkeeping error from Carlos Kameni to put Atleti ahead midway through the first half but a Fernando Torres own-goal drew the hosts level 12 minutes later.
Samuel Garcia turned the game in Malaga's favour with a classy finish with 20 minutes remaining, but Griezmann struck again not long after, scoring a fiercely contested goal.
The draw is a blow to both side's European ambitions, although Atletico will remain third in the Primera Division table and Malaga seventh at the end of the weekend, regardless of what happens in the other games.
Atletico had won their last three league matches before visiting La Rosaleda and made a bright start here, with Torres going down in the box inside five minutes, but his half-hearted appeal for a penalty was waved away.
The game then had to be interrupted as the referee discovered that Atletico defenders Jose Maria Gimenez and Miranda were both wearing the number 24 jersey, with the Brazilian ordered to change shirts.
Malaga then began to start controlling possession, but fell behind on 22 minutes as Griezmann pounced after Kameni failed to hold Jesus Gamez's long throw into the box.
But Javi Gracia's side found their composure again and tested Atletico's backline on a couple of occasions before levelling eight minutes before the break.
Recio's in-swinging corner was aimed towards Nordin Amrabat at the near post, but instead bounced off Torres and past a helpless Jan Oblak.
Malaga made a determined start to the second half but squandered two early chances, and then at the other end Atletico came even closer to scoring.
Griezmann got down the left wing and crossed to Torres, who flicked a header towards Koke at the back post, but the midfielder failed to find the target.
Torres also missed two chances in quick succession, and Atletico paid for their wastefulness as they conceded again on 70 minutes.
Amrabat drew two Atleti defenders towards him on the edge of the area and then swivelled to roll the ball into the path of Samuel, who effortlessly dinked it over the advancing Oblak.
Yet the drama was far from over in this pulsating game.
Griezmann arrowed into the top corner after a knock down from Raul Jimenez and Malaga's players furiously protested the goal as the Frenchman at first appeared offside, but replays redeemed the linesman, showing the striker was in line with a defender.
Both sides sought a winner in the remaining minutes but the game finished with honours even due to saves from the two goalkeepers, with Oblak denying Amrabat, and Kameni saving from substitute Saul Niguez.
