Málaga 1-1 Espanyol: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings

How the match unfolded

Espanyol struck first through Bryan Zaragoza in the 13th minute, set up by Javi Hernández. Málaga levelled at 1-1 in the 90th minute (+3) through Adrián Niño Heredia, set up by Rafita Garrido. It came with the clock nearly run down, and it rescued a point.

It was 0-1 at half-time, and the second half changed the result.

The referee, F. Hernández Maeso, showed 9 yellow cards: 4 to Málaga and 5 to Espanyol.

Málaga: J. Funes Arjona, 4-1-4-1 · Espanyol: J. González Álvarez, 4-2-3-1.

Moneyball's prediction against the result

Right result, right score: 1-1 was the estimate's most likely scoreline at 13%, and it came in.

On goals the estimate was close: about 2.4 expected, 2 scored.

Over 2.5 goals had been put at 44%; with 2 goals the under came in, as the estimate leaned.

Both teams to score was 49%; both did, against the estimate.

Computed before kick-off from both sides' season goals and expected goals as of 2026-10-09, through a Dixon-Coles score model, and left as it was.

Why it went this way

On the day the expected goals were 1.31 for Málaga and 0.97 for Espanyol.

Málaga had 7 shots on target, Espanyol 4.

Espanyol's goalkeeper made 6 saves.

Málaga had 58% of the ball.

Where the two sides stood before this match

Málaga came into it with 8 La Liga matches played, scoring 0.5 and conceding 1.6 a match, with 0.87 expected goals for and 1.78 against, and had won 0% of their matches.

Espanyol came into it with 9 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.2 and conceding 1.3 a match, with 1.32 expected goals for and 1.17 against, and had won 22% of their matches.

Málaga vs Espanyol: the match in numbers

Team statistics from Sportmonks.

Player ratings and man of the match

Man of the match: David Larrubia (Málaga), rated 7.8 by Sportmonks.

Málaga

• David Larrubia 7.8
• Pablo Martínez 7.5
• Rafita Garrido 7.5 1 assist
• Adrián Niño Heredia 7.4 1 goal
• Dani Lorenzo 7.3

Espanyol

• Ángel Fortuño 7.6
• Bryan Zaragoza 7.6 1 goal
• Roberto Fernández 7.2
• Edu Expósito 7.0
• Javi Hernández 6.9 1 assist

The lowest-rated starter was Chupe at 6.3. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.

What comes next

• Málaga: Málaga vs Real Sociedad Sunday 18 October 2026 · La Liga
• Espanyol: Racing Santander vs Espanyol Saturday 24 October 2026 · La Liga

Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.

Questions about Málaga vs Espanyol

What was the score in Málaga vs Espanyol?

Málaga 1-1 Espanyol (half-time 0-1), La Liga, Friday 9 October 2026.

Who scored in Málaga vs Espanyol?

Bryan Zaragoza 13', Adrián Niño Heredia 90+3'.

Did Moneyball predict Málaga vs Espanyol correctly?

Right result, right score: 1-1 was the estimate's most likely scoreline at 13%, and it came in.

Who was man of the match in Málaga vs Espanyol?

David Larrubia, rated 7.8 by Sportmonks.

Who refereed Málaga vs Espanyol?

F. Hernández Maeso.