A Late Penalty Sparks Chaos at Estadio La Rosaleda
The 36th edition of the Trofeo Costa del Sol ended in fashion when Fulham declined to participate in a penalty shootout against Málaga, resulting in the Spanish club claiming the trophy via an uncontested shot into an empty net, according to reports from multiple outlets.
The preseason friendly at Estadio La Rosaleda in Málaga, Spain, finished 2-2 after ninety minutes before the situation deteriorated rapidly. Málaga secured the draw in the final minute of regular time when Eneko Jauregi converted a penalty kick awarded for a handball, drawing immediate protests from the English side.
Red Cards, Pitchside Arguments, and a Mass Departure
Shortly after the equalizer, Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa was shown a red card by the referee for his protests. Following the dismissal and the final whistle, a tense discussion ensued on the pitch between Fulham players and match officials. Rather than proceeding to the penalty shootout to decide the winner of the traditional regional tournament, the visiting squad opted to leave the field entirely in front of 17,179 spectators.
With the English team back in the dressing room and refusing to return, Málaga took a symbolic penalty kick. Eneko Jauregi struck the ball into a vacant goal to officially close the match, a sequence that drew loud celebrations from the home supporters and widespread media attention.
Travel Pressures and Sharp Criticism from the Spanish Press
Following the abrupt conclusion, Málaga officials explained that the visiting delegation refused to participate in the penalty kicks because the tie-breaking procedure was not explicitly included in their match agreement. According to statements released by the English club, staying for the shootout would have jeopardized their scheduled travel arrangements.
The club maintained that taking part in the extra period from the spot would cause them to miss their return flight. Spanish sports daily Marca sharply criticized the decision, labeling the episode a lamentable and lack of respect in the history of the tournament.
Surreal Broadcasts Overshadow a Competitive Preseason Test
Domestic Focus Returns as Fallout Remains Unaddressed
The Trofeo Costa del Sol serves as a traditional preseason fixture for Málaga, who absorbed the unusual victory by default to claim the 2026 edition of the cup.
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