Should the Blue and Whites win against the Nigerian side, they will play in the grand final of the Carranza Cup (21:30, GOL) against the winners of the other semi-final, between Club Atlético de Madrid and host team, Cádiz CF. Should they lose, they will take part in the consolation match on Saturday against the loser of the other semi between Atlético and Cádiz (18:30, GOL). Atlético – reigning champions – with 10 titles, is the Club who has had the most success in the history of the ‘Trophy of Trophies’.
Three finals in three competitions
Málaga have reached the final of this prestigious competition three times, but never claimed the title. In 2001, Joaquín Peiró’s team defeated Cádiz in the semi-finals by 0-1 (Cortijo own goal) and lost in the final to Real Betis by 6-1 (Litos scored the Malaguista goal of honour).
In 2003, they again won in the semi-finals against host side, Cádiz by the same score as two years previously. The 0-1 victory goal was scored in minute 93 by Gerardo García León, allowing qualification to the final against Atlético de Madrid, who defeated the Blue and Whites on penalties (4-2), after a goalless draw at full time.
The third and final time Málaga played in the Carranza Cup was five years ago, in 2011. During the pre-season of the historic 2011/12 season, Pellegrini’s men defeated Portuguese side, Sporting Lisbon in the semis (3-1) with a double from Julio Baptista and another goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy. In the final, locals, Cádiz were victorious by 2-0.
Málaga CF’s stats in this tournament are a total of six matches played, resulting in three victories, one draw and two defeats. Brazilian-born Baptista, with two goals, is the highest goal-scorer for the Malaguistas in this Cádiz-based competition.
