Málaga CF returned to international action for the first time in eight years this Saturday afternoon, facing Oxford United FC of the English Championship on their home turf, the Kassam Stadium. The fourth preseason test kicked off at 15:00 (14:00 UK time) and drew over 300 Blue and White supporters to the stands.
Sergio Pellicer named a starting XI featuring Carlos López in goal; Gabilondo, Murillo, Einar, and Dani Sánchez in a back four; Izan Merino, Dotor, and Dani Lorenzo in midfield; Larrubia and Lobete on the wings; and Niño leading the attack.
After an initial spell of balance and back and forth from both sides, the first clear chance went to the home team. In the 11th minute, Mills received a ball into space and, after cutting in from the left wing, struck from inside the box. His shot hit the post and landed in the hands of Carlos López. Just prior to that, Larrubia had carried the ball across the entire pitch after winning possession and broke into Cumming’s area, but a local defender managed to clear the danger.
Approaching the 20th minute, Málaga CF, wearing their first kit with white shorts and socks, had a great chance of their own. Niño laid the ball off to Dotor in the centre, and the midfielder played a deep pass to Lobete. The English keeper came out to clear, but Dani Sánchez recovered the loose ball and found Málaga’s number 24 inside the box. The striker’s shot was deflected by the defence and went out for a corner.
The Yellows took the lead at the Kassam Stadium in the 32nd minute. After regaining possession inside Málaga’s area, a cross to the far post found Mills, who powered in a close-range header that Carlos López had no chance of stopping (1-0).
Niño came close to equalising with a header that Cumming tipped out for a corner. The home team also had another clear opportunity before half-time through the goal scorer, but his shot in a one-on-one situation sailed over the bar.
Sergio Pellicer made six substitutions ahead of the second half to manage preseason workloads. Carlos Puga, Pastor, Víctor, Aaron Ochoa, Joaquín, and Chupe came on to replace Gabilondo, Murillo, Dani Sánchez, Dotor, Dani Lorenzo, and Lobete.
The English side, further along in their preparations with the league starting in a week, came close to scoring again in the 48th minute, when Goodrham hit the post with a shot.
In the 50th minute, Larrubia went for goal from the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected out for a corner by a defender. Four minutes later, Niño headed a cross from Víctor on the left, but the ball went wide. Harris had the clearest chance for the home side with a powerful shot from inside the box, but Carlos López made an excellent save to deny the goal (59').
Just past the hour mark, Rafa came on to replace Niño, and in the 67th minute, Juanpe took Einar’s place.
Three attacking moves from Málaga came in quick succession between the 70th and 80th minutes. First, Aaron Ochoa fired wide after linking up with David Larrubia on the left flank. Shortly after, the number 35 had another chance, but his shot went over the bar following a play that began with a cross from Víctor and a pass from Rafa. Finally, Pastor connected with a cross from the left-back off a set piece, forcing a fine save from Cumming.
Despite their efforts, the equaliser didn’t come, and the home side extended their lead with a penalty converted by Brannagan (2-0, 83’).
Shortly after, Kioso's goal sealed the scoreline, creating a margin that felt harsh given the efforts of both sides throughout the match (3-0, 86’).
There was no time for more, and Málaga CF suffered their first defeat of the summer preseason, against an Oxford United FC side set to begin their league campaign on Saturday the 9th.
That day, the Blue and Whites will play their final match of the 2025/26 preseason. It will also mark their first game of the campaign at La Rosaleda Stadium, as they host Real Betis at 20:30 in the 35th edition of the Costa del Sol Cup.