Málaga 2 - Racing Santander 1

Málaga: Contreras; Rojas, Larrainzar (Pato 80'), Fernando Sanz, Roteta; Rufete, Movilla, De los Santos, Musampa (Agostinho 67'); Darío Silva (Sandro 67'), Dely Valdés. 4-4-2.
Racing: Ceballos; Mellberg, Arzeno, Txema, Juanma; Espina, Jaime (Colsa 70'); Manjarín, Magallanes (Regueiro 48'), Amavisca; Mazzoni (Preciado 70'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Darío Silva, Dely Valdés for Edgar, Canabal / Racing: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 26. Musampa. Fired in shot from left of area after pass from Dely Valdés.
2-0. 64. Rufete. Turned into net on far post after Musampa cross missed by others.
2-1. 73. Manjarín. Individualist goal beating defenders before shooting past keeper.

Controversy surrounded the build up to this match, with Racing president Miguel Angel Díaz insisting right up until three hours before kick off that his team were not going to play unless the Spanish football federation took action against Las Palmas for fielding two players against them, Alvaro and Baiano, who had false passports. Although the federation ignored their demands, the threat of expulsion from the league made them change their minds, and in the end Díaz announced that they would play in order not to affect Málaga and other teams' chances. It was the only decision they could make, but it made little difference as they lost once again and are now certain of relegation to the second division next season.

Málaga had their own problems to deal with after their president Fernando Puche announced he was standing down in order to fight to clear his name after his company was accused of importing contraband goods. His son, also Fernando, will take over until a successor can be found. The uncertainty over whether they would play or not upset both managers' plans, although Gustavo Benítez decided in the end to put out the same side that drew against Valencia the week before, his players lining up for the team photo with "juego limpio" (fair play) stamped on their T-shirts. Joaquín Peiró could count on his first choice strike force Darío Silva and Dely Valdés, both of whom missed the last match, and Musampa kept his place in the side after a good performance last time out. The Dutchman in fact turned out to be the man of the match, scoring a fantastic goal with a volley from outside of the area halfway through the first half, and laying on the winner for Rufete in the second.

Other than the goal though there was little action in the first half, with Málaga having the best of it but Racing going closest through Magallanes. The Uruguayan star had to leave the field just after half time though with an injury, and other than Manjarín, who got his first goal of the season towards the end, there was nobody else to take up the call. Málaga's young full back Pato finally made his first appearance of the season ten minutes from the end, but he only lasted five minutes getting himself sent off rather harshly by referee Mejuto González in an incident in which Manjarín was as much to blame as he was. Racing drop to the second division for the first time in eight years after taking only four points away from home all season, although they still have a remote hope that their appeal for the three points against Las Palmas will prevail. Málaga meanwhile move up to seventh, two points behind Celta, and still have an outside chance of getting into the UEFA cup next season for the first time in their history. Even if they don't get ahead of Celta, the seventh placed team could also qualify depending on results in the cup, and if not they could opt to try for the Intertoto cup.