Sevilla’s hopes of qualifying automatically for the Champions League group stages were dented on Monday as they suffered a 4-2 LaLiga defeat at in-form Malaga.

Franco Vazquez scored in each half for Jorge Sampaoli’s side, but those strikes came either side of Pablo Fornals and Sandro finding the target. Diego Llorente’s 77th-minute header then put Malaga in front for a second time before substitute Juankar rounded off the scoring late on, converting a rebound from Sandro’s saved penalty.

As a result, Sevilla remain three points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, who boast a superior head-to-head record. However, Sevilla do have a five-point cushion over Villarreal and remain on course to earn a place in the Champions League play-off round.