UEFA Champions League Group C wrap: Malaga deny Anderlecht

Malaga captain Duda struck either side of half-time as Anderlecht were denied a spot in the Europa League after a 2-2 draw.

Duda twice put the La Liga side ahead at Estadio La Rosaleda as Anderlecht finished bottom of Group C, behind Malaga, AC Milan and Zenit St Petersburg.

Malaga enjoyed the better of the early chances and almost went ahead in the 10th minute, only for Silvio Proto to tip Diego Buonanotte’s effort around his post.

The hosts continued to squander opportunities and Anderlecht came close to opening the scoring against the run of play, but Dieumerci Mbokani saw his header saved by Carlos Kameni.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Buonanotte did well to weave into the box and get his shot away, but Proto saved with his legs.

The Belgian side then thought they had taken the lead through Behrang Safari, only to have the goal wrongly disallowed for offside.

Following the decision, the hosts opened the scoring through Duda.

Seba did well to hold the ball in the Anderlecht area before picking out Duda, who fired an unstoppable drive past Proto.

Anderlecht were not behind for long and five minutes into the second half, Oguchi Onyewu played a pass into Jovanovic and the Serbian delicately chipped the advancing Kameni.

Jovanovic came close to firing the Belgian side in front moments later, but Kameni got his fingertips to his effort and forced it onto the post before the hosts could clear.

At the other end, the hosts had a chance of their own to take the initiative.

Eliseu did well to pick out Roque Santa Cruz unmarked in the box and the striker attempted to cushion his effort into the bottom corner, but was denied by the foot of the near post.

But it was not long before Malaga were in front again.

Buonanotte picked out Duda with a perfect cross-field pass and the midfielder brought the ball down well before lashing past Proto and into the bottom corner.

Mbokani netted a last-gasp equaliser to set up a tense finish, but Malaga held on to secure a point.

In Italy, a goal from Danny was enough to lead Zenit St Petersburg to a famous 1-0 victory over AC Milan and book the Russian champions’ place in the Europa League.