Following the disappearance of CD Málaga in 1992, and the subsequent two years of Atlético Malagueño moving between Third Division and Second Division B, the renamed Málaga Club de Fútbol debuted in the 94/95 campaign, moving up to the bronze division. Three years in that category that ended with the memorable promotion to the Second Division, in the 97/98 season, returning Málaga CF to professional football.
The summer of 1998 was incredibly exciting for the Club and the fans. A Spanish footballing legend, Joaquín Peiró (may he rest in peace) was chosen to head up the team by president, Fernando Puche. Numerous signings, along with a good base of players in the middle of a winning dynamic, made up the perfect mix for the second consecutive promotion.
The 98/99 season was packed full of highlights for Peiró’s Málaga, with Catanha as ‘pichichi’ (26 League goals) and countless moments to remember, reaching their climax on matchday 39 of the competition. A packed La Rosaleda Stadium witnessed the Club’s first promotion in the new MCF era. And with three matches remaining, the team moved up as the undisputed champion of the category.
That 30th May 1999, those goals from Bravo, Edgar and Agostinho, the party after the final whistle, on the pitch, in the dressing room, then in the streets, throughout Málaga…Simply unforgettable.
Match stats: Málaga CF 3 – Albacete Balompié 2
Málaga CF - Joaquín Peiró: Rafa; Bravo, Larrainzar, Roteta, Valcarce; Rufete, Movilla, Sandro (Ruano 64’), Agostinho (Quino 75’); Edgar (Guede 79’) and Catanha.
Albacete Balompié - Julián Rubio: Julio Iglesias; Juli, Chavo Díaz, Rivas (Ortega 18’), Juanlu, Padilla; Vanic, Sala, Jesús Muñoz (Melgar 80’), José Juan Luque; Vulevic (Leandro 62’).
Goals
0-1 (1’): José Juan Luque. 1-1 (11’): Bravo. 2-1 (17’): Edgar. 3-1 (37’): Agostinho. 3-2 (59’): Chavo Díaz.
Referee
Undiano Mallenco (Navarra Committee). Yellow cards were shown to Malaguista Roteta and visitors Padilla and Vulevic.
Information
Capacity crowd at La Rosaleda Stadium. Matchday 39 of the Second Division, 1998/99 season, held on 30th May 1999.
