Valencia 2 - 2 Malaga: Fornals at the double as Malaga hit back to deny Valencia at the death

Posted Monday, December 05, 2016 by PA

Pablo Fornals' injury-time equaliser denied Valencia a crucial victory in their relegation fight as they drew 2-2 with Malaga.

Midfielder Fornals struck in the third minute of stoppage time just as it looked as if Rodrigo Valencia and Alvaro Medran had given the hosts victory.

Fornals had opened the scoring and his late goal meant Valencia stayed two points above the relegation zone.

Cesare Prandelli's side are now without a win in six games in LaLiga after a run which has dragged them into relegation trouble.

Malaga remain in mid-table as inconsistency continues to dog their season.

Six-time champions Valencia dropped to 17th before the game after Sporting Gijon's 3-1 win over Osasuna earlier in the day and things got worse when Fornals volleyed in a third-minute opener.

But the hosts hit back just four minutes later when Rodrigo headed in Daniel Parejo's cross.

Parejo continued to supply and he grabbed a second assist after 34 minutes when ex-Real Madrid youngster Medran scored.

Ignacio Camacho went close in the second half as the visitors bossed possession but failed to find an immediate equaliser despite heavy pressure.

Valencia, who included Manchester City loanee Eliaquim Mangala, rode their luck and Camacho headed wide with seven minutes left.

Malaga cranked up the pressure late on at the Mestalla and Diego Alves saved from Youssef En-Nesyri with two minutes left.

Javier Ontiveros shot wide for the visitors in injury time, but Valencia, who are on their fourth manager of 2016, failed to hold on when Fornals struck in the third minute of stoppage time.