Málaga CF visited Elche CF on matchday 41 of LaLiga Hypermotion on this Sunday 25th May, with kick-off at the unified time of 18:30. The match took place at the iconic Martínez Valero stadium, witnessed by 25,914 spectators, including around fifty Malaguistas.
Sergio Pellicer lined up with the following starting-11: A. Herrero; Murillo, Nelson, Pastor, Jokin; Luismi, Manu Molina; Antoñito C., Lobete, Larrubia, and Chupe.
Both sides battled for control of the ball from the outset. The home team looked to assert themselves in attack, but the determined and disciplined work of the Malaguistas, wearing purple on this occasion, prevented Elche from reaching the goal with their usual fluidity.
Pellicer’s men also made their presence felt near the opposing area on several occasions, showing flashes of danger through quick and well-executed transitions. The match went into half-time with the score still level at 0-0.
The second half followed a similar rhythm to the first: Elche attempted to pin Málaga back, while the visitors held firm defensively and continued to threaten on the counter. Lobete and Cordero came close to scoring in the 56th and 62nd minutes, respectively. The number 24 was denied in a one-on-one by the goalkeeper, while the number 26 clipped the post with a curling effort to the far corner.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 76th minute. Elche striker Sory Kaba headed in a cross from Josan on the right wing, putting the home side 1-0 up.
Málaga CF threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but the home side doubled their lead in stoppage time. Mourad sealed the 2-0 result in the 93rd minute with a swift counterattack.
Despite a strong physical and tactical display on the pitch, Málaga CF ultimately came away empty-handed.