Pape Gueye’s brace sends Villarreal past Malaga 3-1

Villarreal beat Malaga 3-1 at Estadio La Rosaleda on Thursday, with Pape Gueye scoring twice after the visitors trailed early. The result leaves Malaga 18th on 3 points and Villarreal 19th on 2 after five league games listed in the standings.

How it happened

Carlos Dotor gave Malaga the lead in the 12th minute, converting Juan Cruz’s assist. Villarreal levelled through Alberto Moleiro in the 40th minute after Ilias Akhomach Chakkour created the goal, then went ahead just before half-time when Pape Gueye finished from Ayoze Pérez’s assist. Gueye completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the 86th minute.

The numbers

Villarreal controlled 63% of possession and completed 535 accurate passes to Malaga’s 281, a sizeable difference in circulation. The visitors also produced 16 total shots, including 12 from inside the box, while Malaga managed 5 total shots and 4 inside the area. Villarreal registered 7 shots on goal; Malaga had 1.

Who decided it

Gueye was the clearest individual influence, earning an 8.2 rating in 53 minutes and scoring twice from his two shots on target. Moleiro matched that 8.2 rating, adding a goal in 80 minutes, 2 shots on target and 1 key pass. Akhomach also helped shape Villarreal’s attack with 1 assist and 2 key passes.

Why it matters

Malaga remain one point above Villarreal in the table, but their record stands at 0 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses with a -6 goal difference. Villarreal’s listed record is 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses with a -3 goal difference, while Barcelona lead La Liga on 18 points—15 ahead of Malaga and 16 ahead of Villarreal.