Gerard Moreno sees off Málaga

Villarreal CF marked their final Liga BBVA match at El Madrigal this season with a 2-1 win over Málaga CF. Gerard Moreno scored both goals for his side, while Sergi Darder picked up a consolation for Javi Gracia’s men.

It was a timid first half between los amarillos and los malageños in which the visitors enjoyed the clearest chances on goal. Both outfits, having done what was needed of them several matchdays ago, served up an encounter that passed without major incident. After 5’, Javi Guerra offered a warning with an effort that went just wide, before he and Samu Castillejo again caused moments of concern for goalkeeper Juan Carlos Sánchez, but could not find a way through.

After a first half in which the scoreboard had not been troubled, the second period delivered all of the game’s goals. Moreno, who had come on as a substitute for Giovani dos Santos, hit the net twice in five minutes to ruin Málaga’s hopes of ensuring seventh position. The first arrived following a team move, before the second came about from a Carlos Kameni mistake as he played the ball out. With the affair settled in the hosts’ favour, Darder cut the gap to leave the final score at 2-1.