Malaga 4-2 Sevilla: Derby defeat for Jorge Sampaoli's men

Malaga inflicted a 4-2 Andalusian derby defeat on Sevilla that has hampered their hopes of automatically qualifying for next season's Champions League group stages.

The hosts won a thrilling contest at La Rosaleda, with two errors from Sevilla captain Nicolas Pareja significant in a loss that keeps them three points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, who also have a superior head-to-head record with three La Liga games remaining.

Pablo Fornals, Sandro, Diego Llorente and Juan Carlos were all on target for Malaga, while Franco Vazquez hit a double in vain for the visitors.

It was Vazquez who opened the scoring moments after he had been booked for diving when he collected Wissam Ben Yedder's cross and fired home via a deflection off Luis Hernandez that left Carlos Kameni with no chance.

Live La Liga Football

Fornals levelled prior to the break with a thunderous strike and Malaga led for the first time in the 51st minute when Pareja completely missed a clearance, allowing Sandro to race through and fire between Sergio Rico's legs at the near post.

More bad defending contributed to Sevilla's equaliser as Luis Munoz failed to clear a cross, which Vazquez eventually latched on as he pivoted and calmly slotted away the finish to double his account for the night.

The home side went in front once more 13 minutes from time when Llorente headed Sandro's free-kick past a motionless Rico, and the man who created that assist was then brought down in the box when attempting to hurdle Pareja late on.

Live La Liga Football

And although Sandro's poor spot-kick was saved by Rico, Juan Carlos was first to react to score Malaga's fourth and confirm their derby victory.