A summer’s evening at Martiricos with a spectacular turnout (27,200 spectators) and numerous Betis fans in the stands who had travelled from Sevilla. On the pitch, Pellicer lined up the following starting-11: Carlos López; C. Puga, Pastor, Einar, Víctor; Luismi (captain), Izan M.; D. Larrubia, Dotor, Joaquín; Niño. Opposite them, the Green and Whites, featuring historic ex-Málaga players, with Manuel Pellegrini on the bench and captain Isco Alarcón on the pitch.
The start of the match was marked by a long pause due to medical staff treating a middle-aged man who, after responding and regaining a pulse, was quickly evacuated. After the first 15 minutes, Betis had a chance, with a one-on-one from Bakambu against Carlos López and a subsequent shot that Pastor prevented from entering the goal (22’).
At the midway point of the first half, Málaga took the lead. A perfect through pass from Dotor found Larrubia in space, who finished skilfully at the edge of the box, beating Pau López (1-0, 24’). Stunning goal.
Isco, in minute 35, and homegrown player Pablo, in the 43rd, both tried their luck with shots near Carlos López’s goal. At the end of the first half, there was a hydration break due to the heat, followed by 17 minutes of added time with no clear chances from either side.
At the start of the second half, Pellicer made five substitutions: Murillo, Dani Sánchez, Lobete, Chupe, and debutant Montero came on for Puga, Einar, Víctor, Joaquín, and Niño.
The start of the second half was exceptional. Larrubia, in top form, curled a right-footed shot tightly against the post with great finesse (2-0, 47’). Immediately after, Chupe powered in a finish to score the third goal (3-0, 49’). The ecstatic Malaguistas kept cheering on their team.
In the 66th minute, Dotor and Luismi were substituted by Juanpe and Dani Lorenzo. The team, confident against a higher-tier opponent, maintained the pace of the game while enjoying a fantastic scoreline. Shortly after the second hydration break, Real Betis pulled one back through ‘Cucho’ Hernández (80’). One minute later, Gabilondo, Aaron Ochoa, and Rafa came on for Pastor, Izan, and the two-goal scorer Larrubia. Then, in the 90th minute, Andrés replaced Carlos in goal, and Recio came on for Montero in defence.
In stoppage time, the chant of ‘Málaga, la Bombonera’ echoed through La Rosaleda, and the final 3-1 result was a fair reward for the champions of the 35th edition of the Costa del Sol Cup: Málaga Club de Fútbol.