Málaga were handed the Costa del Sol Trophy after Fulham declined to take part in the penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at La Rosaleda, where 17,179 spectators watched an ending few would have expected.
The 36th edition of the traditional tournament appeared set for penalties after 90 minutes ended level, but the final decision came not from the spot, but from Fulham’s refusal to continue with the shootout.
A late penalty changed the shape of the night
The match itself had already taken on a dramatic feel by the end of regulation time. A handball inside the penalty area gave Málaga a chance to equalise, and Eneko Jauregi converted to make it 2-2.
That goal was supposed to set up the usual finale. Instead, the tie moved into an unusual pause after the final whistle, with Fulham discussing the shootout with the referee for several minutes before leaving the field.
Why Fulham stepped away
According to Málaga, penalties were not included in the contract agreed for the friendly, and the club also said that taking part in the shootout could have prevented the team from reaching the airport in time for its flight.
That explains why the trophy was awarded without a single penalty being taken. Málaga did not need to score from the spot to win it, because Fulham opted not to participate at all.
A strange finish to a traditional fixture
For a match built around a familiar pre-season format, the ending was anything but ordinary. The expectation was that the shootout would decide the winner after the 2-2 draw, but the evening closed with Málaga declared Costa del Sol Trophy champions instead.
It was a reminder that even in friendly football, the fine print can matter as much as the football itself. On this occasion, Málaga’s late equaliser and Fulham’s decision not to continue combined to produce a trophy win that will be remembered for the unusual way it was decided.
