<p>Malaga boosted their chances of securing a place in next season’s Champions League when they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Espanyol and draw level on points with third-placed Valencia on Sunday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Qatar-owned club fell behind in the 24th minute to a Philippe Coutinho strike before former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ruud van Nistelrooy netted a 75th-minute equaliser moments after coming off the bench. <br /><br />Malaga snatched the winner two minutes later when Espanyol goalkeeper Francisco Casilla saved Salomon Rondon’s header only for Martin Demichelis to smash the loose ball into the net. <br /><br />The victory lifted the Andalusians into Spain’s fourth Champions League qualification place above Levante, who were beaten 2-0 at home to an Osasuna side also in the running. <br /><br />With nine games remaining, Valencia hold on to third on 47 points thanks to a superior goal difference over Malaga and Levante stay three points behind and drop to fifth. <br /><br />Real Madrid have 75 points and Barca, chasing a fourth successive La Liga title, have 69, 22 ahead of Valencia and Malaga. <br /><br />Gijon scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, while Santander also came from behind to earn a point in a 1-1 stalemate at Real Betis. <br /><br />Bilbao are 10th on 38 points and Marcelo Bielsa’s side are without a win in three matches.<br />Villarreal’s 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano lifted them to 16th above Granada, who host 12th-placed Sevilla on Monday.</p>
<p>Malaga boosted their chances of securing a place in next season’s Champions League when they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Espanyol and draw level on points with third-placed Valencia on Sunday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Qatar-owned club fell behind in the 24th minute to a Philippe Coutinho strike before former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ruud van Nistelrooy netted a 75th-minute equaliser moments after coming off the bench. <br /><br />Malaga snatched the winner two minutes later when Espanyol goalkeeper Francisco Casilla saved Salomon Rondon’s header only for Martin Demichelis to smash the loose ball into the net. <br /><br />The victory lifted the Andalusians into Spain’s fourth Champions League qualification place above Levante, who were beaten 2-0 at home to an Osasuna side also in the running. <br /><br />With nine games remaining, Valencia hold on to third on 47 points thanks to a superior goal difference over Malaga and Levante stay three points behind and drop to fifth. <br /><br />Real Madrid have 75 points and Barca, chasing a fourth successive La Liga title, have 69, 22 ahead of Valencia and Malaga. <br /><br />Gijon scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, while Santander also came from behind to earn a point in a 1-1 stalemate at Real Betis. <br /><br />Bilbao are 10th on 38 points and Marcelo Bielsa’s side are without a win in three matches.<br />Villarreal’s 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano lifted them to 16th above Granada, who host 12th-placed Sevilla on Monday.</p>