Real Madrid could only manage a point against a Málaga side full of ex Madrid players. Contreras, Rojas, Valcarce, Movilla and Edgar all started for the home side, with Fernando Sanz on the bench. With Ilgner still injured, second choice keeper Bizarri played his first match after recovering from injury, and Casillas was relegated to the bench. Hierro was back, and Karembeu and Balic started for the first time this season, with McManaman (rested) and Raúl (recovering from flu) on the bench, Anelka out for 3 weeks with an injury and Geremi back in Cameroon following the death of his mother. The first half was almost without incident, with the only shots on goal coming from Málaga. However, Madrid took the lead just on half time after ex Barcelona and Mallorca midfielder Rufete headed Balic's free kick past his own keeper and in to the net. Toshack brought on Raúl for Balic at half time to try and inspire the attack, but it was the home side who scored twelve minutes later, Larraínzar beating a slow Karembeu to head in Agostinho's free kick. The 37,000 capacity Rosaleda stadium in Málaga was full for the first time in 10 years, with record takings of 141 million pesetas. With Alavés and Deportivo losing Madrid move up to third, with Málaga tying with four other teams in ninth place.

Celta moved up to fourth with a good 0-2 win against Real Sociedad. Víctor Fernández opted to play Giovanella instead of Celades in midfield, with Sergio returning in defence. Krauss brought in youngster Aranburu in place of Kühbauer, and Sa Pinto and Loren recovered from flu just in time to play. Gustavo López was a nightmare for the Basque defence, and Real were lucky to escape in the fourth minute when his cross was turned against the crossbar by Revivo. Celta's keeper Dutruel made a brilliant double save from Idiakez at the start of the second half, and with Real pushing forward it was Celta who took the lead against the run of play. Mostovoi, who had come on for Revivo two minutes earlier, hit a precision free kick from wide outside of the area into the top far corner of Alberto's net. Krauss, who had substituted Bonilla for Aldeondo before the goal, brought on Kühbauer, and Fernández replaced Gustavo López and McCarthy with Tomás and Turdó. In the last minute Celta extended their lead, Karpin shooting in from a wide angle after a cross from Tomás went past everyone.