An 85th-minute strike by Iván Azón broke the deadlock for Getafe against Málaga to secure a 1-0 victory at the Coliseum, lifting José Bordalás’s side in the La Liga standings after a difficult start to the season. The win rewarded a dominant second-half display from the hosts, who had struggled to break down Málaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero before Azón converted late in the match.
Iván Azón Strikes Late at the Coliseum
A Shared Struggle for Efficiency in Spain’s Top Flight
Heading into the fixture, both Getafe and Málaga shared an unwanted distinction in Spain’s top flight. According to reports from the match, the two clubs had scored just three goals apiece across their opening six matches of the campaign, trailing only Valencia in attacking efficiency. That lack of cutting edge defined a tense opening period in Madrid.
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Tactical Shifts and First-Half Dominance by the Visitors
Málaga manager Funes reshuffled his lineup significantly, making six changes following a defeat against Villarreal and leaving second-tier scoring threat Chupe on the bench. The visitors found early rhythm through Rafa Rodríguez, who returned to the starting midfield and took control of the tempo.
David Soria turned away attempts from Dotor, Eneko, and Rafa Rodríguez during the first half, while a stoppage-time goal by Dotor was correctly disallowed for offside. Getafe struggled to string attacks together, with their only notable threat arriving via a counterattack led by Aleix Terrats that Andrés García failed to finish.
The Momentum Shifts After the Break
The tactical landscape shifted dramatically after the break. Málaga lost their grip on the midfield as Terrats seized control for Getafe. The midfielder tested Herrero with a long-range effort that took a deflection, followed shortly after with a header that the Málaga goalkeeper kept out. Terrats then delivered a cross to the far post that Azón met with a firm header, only to be denied once more by Herrero.
Breaking the Drought in the Final Minutes
As the match approached its final stages, tension mounted inside the Coliseum as both benches searched for a breakthrough. Finally, in the 85th minute, Azón capitalized on an opportunity to beat Herrero, ending the home side’s scoring drought and securing three critical points.
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