Gueye scores twice as Villarreal beats Málaga 3–1

Dotor puts Málaga ahead

Carlos Dotor gave Málaga an early lead. David Larrubia carried the move through midfield and found Juan Cruz on the right. Cruz supplied Dotor, whose finish touched a Villarreal defender on its way in.

Villarreal had chances to respond before it scored. Alfonso Herrero saved attempts by Tajon Buchanan and Ilias Akhomach while Málaga still led. Villarreal later brought on Pape Gueye for Santi Comesaña, a change that would matter before the break.

Moleiro levels it, then Gueye puts Villarreal ahead

Moleiro missed an Akhomach cross shortly before the two connected again. This time, Moleiro scored from Akhomach’s assist to tie the game. Gueye then scored from Ayoze Pérez’s pass in first-half stoppage time, sending Villarreal into halftime with a 2–1 lead.

Chances at both ends after the break

Málaga made two halftime substitutions, bringing on Dani Lorenzo and Rafita for Juan Cruz and José Salinas. Early in the second half, Ayoze Pérez had a close-range header from Moleiro’s delivery blocked. Later, substitute Mikautadze struck the right post from Buchanan’s cross.

Málaga still had a chance to equalize late on, but Adrián Niño headed wide from close range after a corner. Villarreal finished with 16 shots to Málaga’s five, including a 7–1 edge in shots on target.

Gueye seals the result from the spot

Alfonso Herrero fouled Carlos Maciá in the area, and Gueye converted the resulting late penalty for his second goal. Villarreal finished a 3–1 winner after trailing early, with both of Gueye’s goals coming after he entered as a first-half substitute.