West Ham United have gone down 2-0 to La Liga outfit Malaga in the pre-season Schalke 04 Cup in Germany, courtesy of two first-half goals from Javi Garcia's side.
The Spanish team were on the front foot in terms of possession from the start, with Roberto Rosales crossing for Ezequiel Rescaldani in the eighth minute, but his header was wide at the near post.
Reece Burke then had to be at his best to thwart a clipped ball that nearly caught the Hammers out on the quarter-hour mark.
Sam Allardyce's team fell behind in the 22nd minute, as Arthur Boka's surge and shot into the box was initially cleared by Aaron Cresswell. However, the ball fell to the feet of Rescaldani, who struck home with aplomb.
Worse was to come for the Hammers just two minutes later as Luis Alberto controlled a deep cross to the far post on the half volley, before setting himself and side footing a measured finish neatly inside the near post from 12 yards out.
It could have been worse as the Premier League side went on to concede a penalty on the half-hour mark, but Alberto's effort from twelve yards failed to trouble goalkeeper Adrian.
In the second half, West Ham were under the cosh once again, and when they had the chance to halve the deficit, Winston Reid's scuffed a shot wide from six yards.
The Spanish side failed to add to their tally with mishit efforts by Roque Santa Cruz and Juanmi, and so the game ended 2-0.
Giuseppe Labellarte
