Photo by Alan Grant (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Why Stoppage Time at La Rosaleda Leaves Málaga and Espanyol in Limbo

Stoppage-time drama at Estadio La Rosaleda gave Málaga CF a dramatic 1-1 draw against RCD Espanyol on Friday, 9 October 2026, in matchday 8 of the Primera División (LaLiga). Bryan Zaragoza opened the scoring for Espanyol in the first half, only for Málaga substitute Adrián Niño to strike an equalizing goal in the 93rd minute of stoppage time.

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The 93rd minute altered the outcome when substitute Adrián Niño converted a delivery from Rafita to secure a 1-1 draw for Málaga. Málaga manager Juan Francisco Funes had introduced Niño alongside Adam Aznou and Carlos Dotor in a triple substitution on the 62nd minute, replacing Rafa Rodríguez, Carlos Puga, and Joaquín Muñoz.

That intervention salvaged a point, while summer signings Adam Aznou and Fernando Calero also made their Málaga debuts during the match.

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One early strike had looked sufficient to steer Manolo González's Espanyol back on track. Bryan Zaragoza found the net in the first half to give Espanyol the lead, having earlier earned a yellow card in the 28th minute alongside Málaga's Carlos Puga.

Málaga's Carlos Ruiz Rubio picked up a caution for a foul in the 41st minute. Espanyol started Ángel Fortuño in goal in place of regular goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović and featured leading scorer Roberto Fernández following his return from international duty with Spain, but they could not protect the narrow margin.

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Fifteen consecutive head-to-head fixtures now make up Espanyol's unbeaten streak against Málaga, comprising nine victories and six draws. Even so, the outcome provides limited comfort to a Catalan side that entered the clash following successive defeats against Rayo Vallecano and Elche.

Taken together, the figures illustrate two teams unable to build forward momentum. Espanyol halt their losing run to reach eight points with two wins, two draws, and four defeats.

Málaga, meanwhile, remain pinned to 20th position at the bottom of the table, winless through eight matches with four draws, four losses, and four points to their name.

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