C. Dotor put Malaga ahead on 12 minutes, with J. Cruz providing the assist. A. Moleiro equalised on 40 minutes, from an assist by I. Akhomach. P. Gueye restored the lead for Villarreal on 45+2 minutes, set up by A. Perez. Gueye put Villarreal two ahead on 86 minutes.
Villarreal had 16 shots to the home side's 5, 76% of the 21 attempts in the match. Villarreal had 5 off target and 4 blocked, the home side 4 off target and 0 blocked. The visitors had 12 attempts from inside the box, to Malaga's 4. That left 4 from outside the area for Villarreal, and 1 for Malaga.
The visitors put 7 on target to Malaga's 1, an on-target rate of 44% against 20%. Malaga scored with one of their one on target. Villarreal scored with three of their seven on target.
There were six bookings.
Villarreal led 2-1 at half time. The second half produced one goal.
Malaga are nineteenth on three points from six matches. Their record reads 0 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats, with a goal difference of -8. Villarreal are fourteenth on five points from six matches. Their record reads 1 win, 2 draws and 3 defeats, with a goal difference of -1.
The match was played on matchday 6. Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, Spain refereed.
Match at a glance
- Full time: Malaga 1-3 Villarreal
- Competition: Spanish La Liga
- Date: 17 September 2026
- Referee: Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, Spain
Shooting breakdown
| Statistic | Malaga | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 5 | 16 |
| Shots on target | 1 | 7 |
| Shots off target | 4 | 5 |
| Shots blocked | 0 | 4 |
| Shots inside the box | 4 | 12 |
| Shots outside the box | 1 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 8 |
| Throw In | 0 | 0 |
| Free Kick | 0 | 0 |
| Goal Kick | 0 | 0 |
| Penalty | 0 | 1 |
| Substitution | 5 | 5 |
| Attacks | 73 | 124 |
| Dangerous Attacks | 23 | 81 |
| On Target | 1 | 7 |
| Off Target | 4 | 9 |
| Fouls | 17 | 10 |
| Offsides | 1 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 1 |
| Saves | 3 | 0 |
| Passes Total | 347 | 600 |
| Passes Accurate | 281 | 540 |
