Málaga returns to LaLiga after eight years with playoff win at Almería
Málaga CF beat UD Almería 1-2 away in the second leg of the Segunda División playoff final, sealing a return to Spain’s top tier eight years after relegation. The match was delayed after the visitors' bus was pelted with stones.
The match
Málaga CF clinched the final promotion spot to LaLiga EA Sports with a 1-2 victory at the UD Almería Stadium on Saturday. After a goalless first leg at La Rosaleda, Juanfran Funes’s side took control in the second half. Chupe opened the scoring in the 65th minute, latching onto a pass from Joaquín. David Larrubia doubled the lead in the 71st, curling a shot into the top left corner from a through ball by Chupe.
Leo Baptistao pulled one back for Almería in the 76th minute, and the home side pressed hard in the closing stages. Málaga goalkeeper Herrero was forced into several saves, while Almería also had a player sent off during the ten minutes of added time, but the Andalusian visitors held on.
Bus attack delays kick-off
The start was pushed back by more than half an hour after the Málaga team bus came under attack on the road to the stadium. Stones were thrown at the vehicle, leaving it stranded for 40 minutes before the squad could reach the ground.
Eight-year wait ends
Málaga last played in the top flight in the 2017–18 campaign before dropping into the second tier. The club now joins Racing de Santander and Deportivo de A Coruña, the other two sides promoted this season, in returning to the elite of Spanish football.
Tense finale
Almería, relegated from LaLiga three years ago, threw everything forward in search of an equaliser that would have forced extra time. Baptistao and Arribas both went close, but the Málaga defence and Herrero survived the siege to secure the win and spark wild celebrations among the travelling support.
