The highly-rated Isco scored a stunner for Málaga in their 2-1 aggregate win over FC Porto in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night.
Leading 1-0 after the first leg in Portugal, Porto would have been confident of seeing off the challenge of Málaga at La Rosaleda.
Málaga took their time to come into the contest, but a strong finish to the first period saw them come right back into the tie.
Manuel Iturra found Isco, who dribbled past two defenders into space on the edge of the Porto area.
With few options and nobody closing him down, the 20-year-old clipped a brilliant cross-goal shot over Helton and into the top corner to put his side level on aggregate.
The Spanish midfielder has been a revelation this season and showed why he has caught the eye of many top clubs.
Málaga dominated the second half as Steven Defour was sent off for a wild lunge after the break and substitute Roque Santa Cruz secured their passage into the quarter-finals with a header in the 77th minute.
"Those games, you have to have great players to unlock them. Barcelona have (Lionel) Messi, we have Isco," Málaga midfielder Jérémy Toulalan told reporters after the game.
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| Málaga midfielder Isco celebrates after scoring his team's opener against Porto Photo: Getty Images |
Leading 1-0 after the first leg in Portugal, Porto would have been confident of seeing off the challenge of Málaga at La Rosaleda.
Málaga took their time to come into the contest, but a strong finish to the first period saw them come right back into the tie.
Manuel Iturra found Isco, who dribbled past two defenders into space on the edge of the Porto area.
With few options and nobody closing him down, the 20-year-old clipped a brilliant cross-goal shot over Helton and into the top corner to put his side level on aggregate.
The Spanish midfielder has been a revelation this season and showed why he has caught the eye of many top clubs.
Málaga dominated the second half as Steven Defour was sent off for a wild lunge after the break and substitute Roque Santa Cruz secured their passage into the quarter-finals with a header in the 77th minute.
"Those games, you have to have great players to unlock them. Barcelona have (Lionel) Messi, we have Isco," Málaga midfielder Jérémy Toulalan told reporters after the game.
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