There was a festive atmosphere for this Andalusian derby, with a strong presence of Almería supporters in the stands. On the pitch, Pellicer made two changes compared to the previous league match in Castellón, both on the attack: Kevin and Dioni replaced Yanis and Castel.
The visitors started with high intensity, with a clear chance for Luis Javier Suárez just 25 seconds in. The first Malaguista approach came in the 7th minute, with a loose ball inside the area that the opposing goalkeeper cleared to Larrubia's feet. Five minutes later, Málaga took the lead. A cross from Puga was headed by Dioni, hitting the right post and then deflecting off Fernando into his own net (1-0, 12').
Kevin, from a direct free kick in the corner of the box, tried his luck in the 22nd minute. The fans were cheering on the team, although Almería's threat on quick counterattacks was evident with the quality and movement of Nico Melamed and Sergio Arribas. The latter, in the 31st minute, fired from the edge of the box and forced a good save from Alfonso Herrero.
In the final moments of the first half, Rubi's side pushed for an equaliser, but Málaga stuck to their game plan, aiming to hurt on the counterattack. Larrubia, in the 38th minute, had a chance with a powerful left-footer that went just wide of the Almería goal. At half-time, Málaga led 1-0.
In the second half, in the 52nd minute, Lobete had a chance to make it 2-0 in a one-on-one with Fernando, but the Almería goalkeeper diverted the Basque winger's shot. Málaga CF were competing toe-to-toe against one of the top teams in the division, who used their depth in the second half, bringing on players like Centelles and Leo Baptistao.
In the 64th minute, Pellicer made his first substitution, introducing Antoñito Cordero for Kevin Medina on the left wing. Pellicer used his second substitution window in the 77th minute, replacing Dioni and Larrubia with Castel and Ochoa, respectively.
The fans, unwavering, made La Rosaleda stadium tremble with their cheers, lifting a team that was not only solid defensively but also sought to seal the match with another goal. In the 86th minute, Lobete had another chance with a powerful shot that went just over the crossbar. In the 88th minute, Einar and Izan Merino replaced Manu Molina and Julen Lobete, both of whom were warmly applauded.
In stoppage time, during the sixth of the seven minutes added by the referee, Edgar headed a ball that Pastor, in an own goal, sent into the net, levelling the score (1-1, 96').
One more point for Málaga CF, who now have 23 points after 18 matches in the LaLiga Hypermotion standings.