Málaga CF promote to La Liga with 2-1 win over Almería

Málaga CF clinched a return to Spain's First Division on Saturday after a 2-1 victory over Almería in the second leg of the promotion playoff final. The win ends an eight‑year absence from the top tier. The decisive match was played at Málaga's home ground, and the result secures their promotion.

Chupe opened the scoring for Málaga CF, followed by a second goal from Larrubia that sealed the victory. Both goals came in the second half of the match.

The tie entered the second leg level after a goalless 0-0 draw in the first encounter. The 2-1 result therefore decided the promotion.

The match began under tension after the visiting Almería team's bus was pelted with stones before kickoff. No injuries were reported from the incident.

Almería's defeat means the club will remain in the Second Division for the upcoming season. Their hopes of returning to the First Division were dashed.

Málaga CF were relegated from the First Division at the end of the 2017-18 season. Since then the club has fallen as low as Segunda División B before climbing back.

Málaga will learn their First Division schedule for the 2025-26 season in the coming days. The club now faces the task of assembling a squad capable of competing at the top level.