Sevilla stutter against Malaga

Malaga and Sevilla have played out a goalless draw in the opening match of the La Liga season this evening.

Following a slow start, the match burst into life in the 11th minute when Sergi Darder fired in a low drive from range that was punched away by Beto.

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Moments later the visitors broke with pace, and Ever Banega saw his strike from the edge of the box pushed away to Kevin Gameiro, but the Frenchman was unable to turn in the rebound.

Gameiro had another chance to break the deadlock soon after when he arrived at the front post to meet a low cross from Jose Antonio Reyes, but he put the ball wide from just a couple of yards out.

Sevilla continued to push forward in search of the opening goal and once again Gameiro was involved as he fired a strike high over the bar.

It was Malaga who came close next on the half-hour mark when Duje Cop drilled in a low strike from a tight angle that Beto saved at his near post.

After the break, the hosts worked another opening as Arthur Boka drove into the box past a number of challenges, before placing his shot over the bar.

Sevilla soon began to reassert their dominance and Reyes flashed a low shot wide of the post, before Vitolo saw his effort parried to safety by Carlos Kameni.

However, the visitors were soon dealt a blow, as in the 69th minute Steven N'Zonzi was sent off for picking up his second yellow card of the evening.

Malaga almost made their numerical advantage pay with two minutes left to play, as Charles converted a low ball across the six-yard box from Juan Carlos, but the effort was ruled offside as the game finished on level terms.