Match ends, Málaga 2, Barcelona 0.
MalagaMalaga2BarcelonaBarcelona0
Neymar was sent off for Barcelona as they lost at Malaga and failed in their bid to go level on points with La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The current Spanish champions were given a boost after Real's 1-1 draw with city rivals Atletico earlier.
However, a first-half strike from ex-Barcelona forward Sandro Ramirez and a late effort from Jony Rodriguez ended their hopes.
Forward Neymar was sent off in the 65th minute after receiving a second yellow.
The Brazil international - with 15 goals for Barca this season in all competitions - had brought down Diego Llorente with a late challenge, and then sarcastically applauded as he made his way off the pitch.
The 25-year-old is set to be suspended for the next league game against Real Sociedad on 15 April. But he could receive a longer ban if his reaction to the red card is deemed as contempt of the officials, which would mean he would miss the potentially season-defining El Clasico at the Bernabeu on 23 April.
Barca barely troubled Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni, although the Cameroon international did make two good saves to block two firm efforts from Luis Suarez.
Malaga, who began the match in 15th spot, looked far more threatening, especially on the counter-attack. They took the lead in the 32nd minute when Sandro - who left for Malaga this summer - fired past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
In the second half they had a goal disallowed when Adalberto Penaranda was wrongly flagged offside before they finally scored their second. Pablo Fornals' square ball found Rodriguez, who slotted in from 10 yards out.
The defeat means Barcelona remain on 69 points, three behind Real who have a game in hand.
Line-ups
Malaga
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Kameni
- 18Rosales
- 5Llorente
- 24Hernández
- 15RiccaBooked at 37mins
- 7Pérez LópezBooked at 82minsSubstituted forRodríguez Menéndezat 83'minutes
- 14García del PozoBooked at 45mins
- 6Camacho
- 31Fornals
- 10Añor AcostaSubstituted forPeñarandaat 67'minutesBooked at 69mins
- 19RamírezSubstituted forDiasat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Demichelis
- 4Villanueva
- 9Dias
- 13Boyko
- 16Peñaranda
- 17Barbosa Valente
- 21Rodríguez Menéndez
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 1ter Stegen
- 14MascheranoBooked at 87mins
- 23UmtitiBooked at 33mins
- 24MathieuSubstituted forRobertoat 45'minutes
- 18AlbaBooked at 8mins
- 6D SuárezSubstituted forIniestaat 45'minutes
- 5Busquets
- 21André GomesSubstituted forAlcácerat 61'minutes
- 10Messi
- 9Suárez
- 11NeymarBooked at 65mins
Substitutes
- 8Iniesta
- 13Cillessen
- 17Alcácer
- 19Digne
- 20Roberto
- 28Aleñá
- 30Carbonell
- Referee:
- Jesús Gil Manzano
- Attendance:
- 28,486
Match Stats
Home TeamMalagaAway TeamBarcelona
- Possession
- Home33%
- Away67%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home2
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home26
- Away20
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Málaga 2, Barcelona 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
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Lionel Messi (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Ignacio Camacho (Málaga).
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Foul by Javier Mascherano (Barcelona).
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Charles Dias (Málaga) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Luis Suárez (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Federico Ricca (Málaga).
Goal!
Goal! Málaga 2, Barcelona 0. Jony (Málaga) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Pablo Fornals following a fast break.
Post update
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Adalberto Peñaranda (Málaga).
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Attempt saved. Sergi Roberto (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Javier Mascherano with a through ball.
Booking
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Javier Mascherano (Barcelona).
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Charles Dias (Málaga) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ignacio Camacho (Málaga).
Substitution
Substitution, Málaga. Jony replaces Juankar.
Booking
Juankar (Málaga) is shown the yellow card.
