Advantage Malaga as Las Palmas falls flat at home
Malaga will take a 1-0 lead home for the second leg of its LaLiga Hypermotion play-off clash against Las Palmas as both sides seek a place in the final against either Castellon or Almeria in the race for promotion to Spain's top flight.
David Larrubia scored the crucial winner in the 57th minute after a backheel assist from Dani Lorenzo, and it was no less than Malaga deserved after dominating for large parts of the match at Estadio Gran Canaria.
The hosts had their chances, though, but failed to hit the target with five or its nine attempts, while Malaga proved to be more clinical when it mattered most.
Castellon and Almeria's tie remains on a knife edge after the two sides drew 1-1 in their first leg encounter on Sunday (AEST), with the second leg on Wednesday (AEST) to decide who will go through to the final.
Malaga has the chance to wrap up its tie when it hosts Las Palmas in the return leg of their semi-final on Thursday (AEST), with the first leg of a two-legged final scheduled for 15 June and the second leg set for 21 June.
