Draw against the league leaders to hold on to fourth place (1-1)

A gala atmosphere (29,464 spectators) welcomed the team before kick-off, with a spectacular reception and a Blue and White mosaic decorating the stands at Martiricos. On the pitch, Juanfran Funes made two changes to his starting lineup compared to the match against Ceuta: Murillo and Dotor returned after serving suspensions, replacing Recio and Rafa.

The match could not have started better for Málaga. A move created by Dotor and Larrubia ended with David finishing powerfully with his right foot, smashing the ball into the top corner (1-0, 4’). It was the 10^th league goal for the number 10 from La Luz.

Racing, already mathematically promoted and coached by former Malaguista manager José Alberto López, threatened in the 8^th minute with a double chance denied by Alfonso Herrero. Joaquín, lively and direct, nearly scored the second goal in a one-on-one against Ezkieta, who prevented the winger from finding the net (10’).

Diego Murillo also had an opportunity to extend the lead with a header from a corner in the 13^th minute, but Ezkieta made the save. The Cantabrian side gradually grew into the match, which paused around the half-hour mark for a hydration break due to the high temperatures.

Salinas, with a strong header, forced an excellent save from Herrero in the 38^th minute. A minute later, Joaquín once again created danger on the counterattack, troubling the composed Ezkieta. Racing’s top scorer Andrés fired wide in the 43^rd minute, close to the Málaga goal, shortly before half-time arrived with Málaga still holding the lead.

The second half began in much the same way as the first, with Málaga pushing hard. In minute 48, Chupe struck the left post. Racing responded immediately with a long-range effort from Vicente that Alfonso Herrero saved. From the resulting corner, Murillo prevented the equaliser with a clearance off the goal line.

Just past the hour mark in the second half, Funes made a change in midfield, bringing on Ramón for a warmly applauded Dani Lorenzo (60’). Chupe once again tested the opposition with a dangerous shot in the 63^rd minute, against a league leader that was still very much alive in the match.

Racing went level thanks to the finishing of their top scorer, Andrés, who beat Herrero in the closing stages of the match (1-1, 70’). The Malaguistas not only didn’t lose heart, but actually raised their support even louder.

After the second hydration break of the game, Funes made a double substitution: Rafa and Niño came on for Izan Merino and Dotor in the 78^th minute. Adrián Niño nearly scored in the 83^rd minute from a corner kick. Málaga used up their remaining substitutions in the 87^th minute, bringing on Dani Sánchez, Aaron Ochoa, and Lobete for Puga, Joaquín, and Larrubia.

In stoppage time, the match could have swung either way. In the 96^th minute, Rafita cleared a goal-bound effort off the line after Racing were already celebrating what looked like a certain goal. Then, in the 99^th minute just before the final whistle, Rafa forced a superb save from Ezkieta, whose outstanding stretch denied Málaga a dramatic 2-1 winner. The match ended 1-1, with both teams sharing the points.

Málaga CF reached 70 points in the LaLiga Hypermotion standings, maintaining 4^th place in the playoff positions for promotion, with one matchday left in the regular season. Vamos, Málaga!