Málaga 1 - Atlético Madrid 0

Málaga: Arnau; Gerardo, Fernando Sanz, César Navas, Valcarce; Juanito (Romero 76'), Miguel Angel; Edgar, Juan Rodríguez, Leko (Michel 60'); Amoroso (Wanchope 60'). 4-2-3-1.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Molinero (Braulio 85'), Perea, Pablo, Antonio López; Ibagaza, Luccin, Marcelo Sosa (Nano 62'), Gronkjaer; Salva (Colsa 71'), Fernando Torres. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Málaga: Miguel Angel for Duda / Atlético: Pablo for García Calvo.

Goals:
1-0. 82. Juan Rodríguez. Long shot which took awkward bounce past Leo Franco.

Málaga's new manager Antonio Tapia led his team to a second single goal victory in a row, beating Atlético Madrid 1-0 to move out of the relegation spots to the detriment of Racing Santander. It was a dull match though, with neither side able to make much of an impression in the first hour of play. Only a couple of efforts from Juan Rodríguez and Leko caused any problems for visiting keeper Leo Franco, and Arnau was a mere spectator at the other end for much of the match.

César Ferrando's side finally woke up in the last twenty minutes, Salva having a goal disallowed at the other end for a borderline offside, Nano bringing a good save out of Arnau from a free kick and Antonio López watching as the keeper allowed his wide free kick to run through and hit the post.

But with Atlético most likely to score, Málaga won it with a long shot from Juan Rodríguez's which bounced awkwardly past Leo Franco and in to the net. And the hosts could have won it by a bigger margin in the end when they were awarded a penalty in the closing minutes after Colsa brought down Michel, but Franco guessed correctly and saved Rodríguez's kick.