Málaga and Levante draw 0-0 after hosts miss penalty

Málaga and Levante played out a goalless draw after Carlos Ruiz, known as Chupete, missed a penalty early in the match. The result left Málaga still searching for its first win after four rounds.

Málaga controlled much of the opening half and tried to build from the back, using Juan Cruz and David Larrubia on the wings. The hosts won the penalty after a cross from Cruz struck Nacho Pérez’s hand, but Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan saved Chupete’s effort in the ninth minute.

The rebound briefly reached Chupete again and he put the ball into the net, but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul by the Málaga forward. Levante defended in an organized shape and resisted further pressure, with Larrubia and Dani Lorenzo driving Málaga’s attacking play.

Málaga kept possession after the break but struggled to find space against a closed Levante defense. As the hosts tired and dropped deeper, Levante created several chances on the counterattack, though Alfonso Herrero stopped some and the visitors’ forwards missed others.

The draw gave Málaga two points from four matches, while Levante moved to one win, two draws and one defeat.