Juanpi and Santa Cruz deliver Malaga road win

Evenly balanced

Both teams made a bright start creating chances at either end. Malaga's Chory Castro had the clearest opening in the 20th minute, but Asier Riesgo managed to pull off the save. Eibar's best chance came through Inui.

Malaga dominate 
Javi Gracia's team started to take control as the minutes went by, despite Eibar playing their trademark high-pressure game. Every time the hosts won back the ball, they created danger, but they were unable to make the most of their chances. 

Juanpi stikes
Just before halftime, Juanpi opened the scoring with a great backheel. Chory Castro ran down the left wing and crossed to the near post where the striker dinked the ball past Riesgo to give them the lead at the break.

Setback
Malaga lost their new signing Chory Castro to an injury, the Uruguayan forward having to leave the pitch near the end to be replaced by Arthur Boka.

Hectic finale
It was stoppage time when Roque Santa Cruz scored the second goal for Malaga. The Paraguayan striker who was a key figure for his team, made it 2-0 but Eibar still had something to say in the game. Borja Baston pulled one back in the final seconds and now has 15 goals under his belt.

Malaga continued to climb the standings and have only lost one of their last six away games. Eibar dropped out of the European qualification places.