Málaga CF returns to La Liga after eight years with 1-2 playoff win at Almería

Match recap

Málaga CF defeated UD Almería 1-2 on Saturday in the return leg of the promotion playoff final at the UD Almería Stadium, sealing their return to La Liga eight years after relegation. The first leg at La Rosaleda had ended 0-0, leaving everything to play for. After a goalless first half, Málaga seized control in the second period. Chupe opened the scoring, and five minutes later David Larrubia fired a second into the top corner to silence the home crowd. Almería pulled one back through Leo Baptistao, and a tense finish included red cards for Thalys and Aarón Ochoa, but Málaga held on.

Eight years of struggle

The victory ends one of the darkest chapters in the club's history. Málaga spent eight seasons outside the top flight, including a stint in the third-tier Primera RFEF. The club has been under judicial administration since 2020, forced to watch every penny. Coach Juan Francisco Funes, who took over in November with the team stuck near the relegation zone after 14 matchdays, reshaped the side around academy graduates – six of them featured in the starting lineup for the playoff final. Known as "los bichos" by Funes, the young players embodied a team built from the city's neighbourhoods.

“The players have played and these fans have supported them every second. Both have made this triumph possible. Congratulations, we are in the top flight!”

Celebrations on and off the pitch

As the final whistle blew in Almería, almost 5,000 travelling supporters erupted. The party quickly spread 230 kilometres to Málaga, where thousands filled emblematic spots such as Calle Larios and the Fuente de las Tres Gracias, waving white-and-blue flags into the early hours. Inside the stadium, the squad invaded the post-match press conference, hoisting Funes onto their shoulders and chanting "A Primera, oe". Eneko Jauregui and Dani Sánchez appeared in their underwear, while Carlos Dotor had his head half-shaved after losing a bet.

Voices of congratulation

Prominent figures added their praise. Málaga-born actor Antonio Banderas posted on Instagram: "The players have played and these fans have supported them every second." Mayor Francisco de la Torre called the promotion "reality thanks to effort, talent and a fan base that never stopped believing". The president of the provincial council, Francisco Salado, declared the team "already history of Málaga football", and María Jesús Montero, general secretary of the Andalusian PSOE, said "today Andalusia wins".

“It is reality thanks to effort, talent and a fan base that never stopped believing.”