Manuel Pellegrini’s Málaga pulled off the surprise of the night at the Camp Nou by drawing (2-2) in its Spanish Cup quarter-final first leg game against Barcelona. Camacho equalised for Malaga in the 89th minute whilst Malaga was playing with ten men.
The visitors took the lead through Iturra in the first half, when the Chilean took advantage of both Pinto’s poor clearance and Thiago Alcantara not realising that he was surrounded by as many as three opponents. Barça turned the game around in four minutes thanks to goals by Messi and Puyol, who headed home from a corner kick.
Malaga was reduced to 10 men 15 minutes from time when Monreal saw a straight red card for bringing down Pedro in what was a clear goalscoring chance.
Barcelona now has to win the return game next week in Malaga if it wants to remain in the competition. Tito Vilanova rested players like Dani Alves, Piqué, Jordi Alba, Xavi and Cesc Fábregas for today’s game.
Málaga gives Barça wake-up call
