Real Madrid 1 - Málaga 1

Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Hierro, Karanka, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, Flavio Conceiçao (Solari 72'); McManaman, Zidane, Raúl; Guti (Munitis 63'). 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Contreras; Bravo, Litos, Fernando Sanz; Gerardo, Romero, Iznata; Zárate (Musampa 63'), Sandro (Edgar 77'); Darío Silva, Dely Valdés (Canabal 77'). 3-3-2-2.

Team changes: Madrid: McManaman, Guti for Figo, Morientes / Málaga: Bravo, Iznata, Sandro for Larrainzar, Roteta, Musampa.

Goals:
1-0. 15. Roberto Carlos. Shot deflected off in Valdés after first free kick blocked.
1-1. 76. Scrambled in at second attempt after Darío Silva effort hit post.

Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Málaga and have only picked up one point from their first two games, their worst start since 1984. Missing the suspended Figo and the injured Morientes, McManaman and Guti came back in to the side. Málaga opted to play three central defenders, with Gerardo and Iznata playing as wing backs. A capacity crowd turned up to witness Zidane's first home match in the league, and they were rewarded by an early goal by Roberto Carlos. The Brazilian full back followed up after his free kick was blocked by the defensive wall, his shot from a wide angle taking a deflection off Dely Valdés before entering the net.

Madrid were not playing flowing football however, and when they did approach goal they were met by a confident Contreras. Darío Silva sent a first warning in the second half with a shot which Casillas had trouble with, and a few minutes later he headed Sandro's free kick against the upright. Casillas pushed the rebound up on to the crossbar, but Fernando Sanz followed up and bundled it into the net for his first ever league goal. It was a double whammy for the capital side, with Fernando, son of ex president Lorenzo Sanz, leaving Madrid a couple of seasons ago after failing to make his mark. When Contreras caught a Zidane free kick in the last minute it was all over, leaving Madrid full of doubts on the eve of their first Champions League game at Roma. Málaga move on to four points and have started their season well.