Chupe and Larrubia help Malaga seal LaLiga promotion

Malaga ended their eight-year exodus from LaLiga after goals from Chupe and David Larrubia sealed a 2-1 win over Almeria in the second leg of their promotion play-off final. 

Having been relegated from the Spanish top flight in 2017-18 under Jose Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Funes led the team back to LaLiga following a goalless first leg. 

Both sides struggled to test either goalkeeper in the first half, but Malaga took the lead in the 65th minute when Chupe poked the ball past Andres Fernandez from close range. 

It got even better for Malaga six minutes later after Chupe turned provider and picked out Larrubia, who took a touch before bending a brilliant finish into the top-left corner. 

However, Almeria hit back through Leo Baptistao’s 76th-minute finish, but the match finished with both teams receiving red cards, the first of which went to Almeria substitute Thalys. 

Thalys was given a straight red card for raising his hands to Izan Merino, while Malaga’s Aaron Ochoa was also dismissed for a second bookable offence in stoppage time. 

Despite the late drama, Malaga were able to hold on and will join Racing Santander and Deportivo La Coruna in LaLiga for the 2026-27 campaign. 

Era una obsesión. Ahora es una REALIDAD.

¡𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗦 𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗔! pic.twitter.com/rbeoPycEPj

— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) June 20, 2026