A gala atmosphere filled the stands at Martiricos (27,896 spectators) to welcome one of the historic sides in the division. Before kick-off, there was an emotional group photo on the pitch featuring the Málaga CF academy teams and representatives from clubs involved in the Framework Agreement. One of the club’s own academy products, Ramón Enríquez, was presented with a commemorative ‘100’ shirt after making his 100^th appearance for Málaga last week against SD Eibar.

Juanfran Funes made two changes to his starting-11 compared to the previous match at Ipurua: Darko replaced Rafa in midfield, while Niño came in for Chupe up front.

The opening stages of the match favoured Sporting. In the 8th minute, Gelabert sent a cross-shot against the right-hand post of Alfonso Herrero’s goal. Two minutes later, Dubasin threatened again, a warning sign that preceded the visitors’ opener. Dubasin himself put the side from Gijón ahead (0-1, 11’) after a VAR review overturned an initial offside call.

After 15 minutes, Niño created a dangerous chance in a very tight area inside the box. The striker from Rota headed over the crossbar in the 23^rd minute and then fired high with his left foot in the 29^th, shortly after visiting goalscorer Dubasin was sent off with a straight red card - following a VAR review - in the 25^th minute.

With a numerical advantage, Málaga CF laid siege to the area around Yáñez’s goal in search of an equaliser. Funes strengthened the attack by bringing on Chupe for Darko in minute 36. In that same minute, Izan Merino tested the reflexes of former Malaguista Yáñez. Right on the 45-minute mark, Dotor was shown a straight red card for stopping a Sporting counterattack.

With both teams down to 10 men, and during the eight minutes of first-half stoppage time, Izan came close again with a shot that flashed just wide of the left-hand post in the 50^th minute. At half-time, the score remained 0-1.

At the start of the second half, Funes made another attacking change: Ramón replaced Einar, leaving a back three in defence, while the player from Órgiva operated further forward as a holding midfielder alongside Izan Merino.

Málaga CF, throwing everything forward in attack, had only one obsession: scoring. And in the 2025/26 season, much of the team’s goalscoring output has carried the signature of Chupe. The Córdoba-born number 9 beat Yáñez with a superb finish, sending the fans into delirium (1-1, 54’). It was the homegrown player’s 20^th league goal of the campaign.

Team and supporters moved as one in search of the winner. In minute 69, Málaga made a double substitution, with Aaron Ochoa and Haitam replacing Larrubia and Niño. Then, in the 75^th minute, Izan tried his luck from distance, but his shot flew over the crossbar.

Ochoa, with a lofted effort, forced Yáñez into a save in the 77^th minute. Four minutes later, Murillo was shown a yellow card that brings a suspension. In the 83^rd minute, Funes used his final substitution, bringing on Rafa for Izan to add fresh legs in midfield.

The winning goal felt inevitable, and it arrived. Joaquín, outstanding throughout, smashed home a sensational strike to find the net (2-1, 86’). Total ecstasy erupted at La Rosaleda and, after six minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle confirmed another three points for Málaga CF. The victory moves Málaga provisionally into 4^th place with 66 points, occupying a promotion playoff spot with three matches remaining in the regular season.

Vamos, Málaga!