Málaga CF defeated UD Almería 1-2 in the second leg of the promotion playoff final. Goals from Chupe and David Larrubia sealed Málaga's return to the top flight, bringing the Club back to the First Division after eight years.
A superb crowd of 17,825 spectators packed the stands at the UD Almería Stadium, with a large contingent of travelling Malaguistas in attendance. On the pitch, Juanfran Funes named the following starting-11: Alfonso Herrero (c); C. Puga, Murillo, Montero, Rafita; Izan Merino, Dani Lorenzo, Dotor; David Larrubia, Joaquín; Chupe.
Málaga's first clear chance came in the 5th minute when Puga burst down the right flank before picking out Chupe, whose effort from inside the box sailed over the bar. The Córdoba-born striker threatened again in the 11th minute after another move down the right, this time forcing Andrés Fernández into a save with a powerful shot.
Chirino was the Red and Whites’ main attacking threat. In the 21st minute, he delivered an inviting cross to Miguel, whose header was comfortably gathered by Herrero. Funes' men enjoyed the majority of possession, while Almería focused primarily on their defensive shape. Around the half-hour mark, play was briefly stopped for a hydration break.
As the first half drew to a close, around minute 40, Málaga won three consecutive corners in quick succession, but none produced the breakthrough. For the hosts, Lopy stood out with his commanding physical presence in midfield. The teams went into the interval with the score still goalless at 0-0.
The second half began with a major setback for Málaga. In the 52nd minute, Diego Murillo was forced off with a right knee injury after an awkward movement. Funes brought on Adrián Niño in his place, switching to a more conventional 1-4-4-2 formation with two strikers, while Izan Merino dropped into central defence.
Joaquín came close in the 57th minute, drilling a low shot just inside the post that forced Andrés into a difficult save. The Miraflores-born winger then played a decisive role moments later, delivering a perfectly weighted assist for Chupe, who calmly found the net for his 25th goal of the season to put Málaga ahead (0-1, 65').
Shortly after, and still riding the momentum from the opening goal, Málaga struck again. Chupe turned provider this time, setting up David Larrubia, who made no mistake in front of Andrés Fernández to make it 0-2 in minute 71. It was the Blue and White number 10’s 12th goal of the season. Almería responded quickly, with second-half substitute Leo Baptistao pulling one back in the 75th minute to reduce the deficit to 1-2.
Funes made a double substitution in the 79th minute, bringing on Rafa and Aaron Ochoa in place of Dani Lorenzo and Joaquín. In minute 81, the Rota-born striker had a chance to seal it at 1-3 during a lethal counterattack led by Ochoa, but the move went unfinished. Moments later, Alfonso Herrero produced a crucial save, tipping a dangerous shot from Baptistao behind for a corner.
Darko replaced Chupe in the 87th minute as Málaga looked to see out the match. The referee added 10 long minutes of stoppage time, during which he showed red cards to home player Thalys and Málaga’s Aaron Ochoa.
And, with the referee’s final whistle, the 1-2 aggregate score in the tie secured Málaga’s 14th promotion to the top flight, the third as Málaga CF, and a return to the elite after eight years. Vamos Málaga! We’re back in the First Division!