Atlético Malagueño Wins the II Villa de Estepona Tournament from the Penalty Spot

The Blue-and-White reserve team defeated Estepona in a penalty shootout that decided an intense and evenly matched game, following a tie in regulation time

Image: CD Estepona

As it turned out, the II Villa de Estepona Trophy had to wait until the very last moment to crown its champion. Atlético Malagueño ended up lifting the trophy after defeating CD Estepona in a penalty shootout, in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

It was a preseason match, yes, but with that competitive edge that makes these kinds of games more than just a simple warm-up. The Muñoz Pérez stadium hosted a summer night of soccer in which both teams had their moments and the score ultimately forced the game into a penalty shootout.

Atlético Malagueño struck first. The Malaga-based team found the back of the net through Marcos Rosa in the 22nd minute, taking the lead in a match that had been fairly even up to that point. The goal forced CD Estepona to step up and seek an immediate response.

And the response wasn’t long in coming. Barely five minutes later, Jorge Álvarez tied the score after a great individual play. The Rojillo player seized his opportunity to beat the Malaguista goalkeeper and tie the game, a score with which both teams headed into the locker rooms.

After the break, a flurry of substitutions began, and with them, the pace of the game picked up, with CD Estepona gaining more presence on the field and pushing harder for a second goal.

Manolo Sánchez’s team had its chances to take the lead. In the final stretch of the match, in the 84th minute, the home team had one of their clearest chances, with Nacho Ramón trying his luck with a shot that could have sealed the comeback, but the ball refused to go in.

The tie held until the final whistle, and the champion of the II Villa de Estepona Trophy would have to be decided from the penalty spot.

There, the Málaga reserve team proved more effective. The shootout began with the teams evenly matched, but the Malaguista squad managed to keep their cool in the decisive moments to ultimately prevail 2–4. For CD Estepona, David Ballarín and Héber Pena scored, while Nacho Ramón and Julen Jon failed to convert their attempts.

This final preseason test yielded, this time, more than just evaluations and playing time. It yielded a trophy. And that trophy is heading to Málaga’s capital after being decided where composure matters most: from the penalty spot.

Match Report
CD Estepona: Fran Martínez; Jorge Álvarez, Antonio Marín, José Caro, Alberto González, Alfonso Candelas; David Pomares, Ale Contreras, Álex Claverías, Roi Tato; Pablo Aguilar.
Also played: Héctor Oliva; David Ballarín, Álvaro Díaz, Maxi Benites, Julen Jon, Sandji Baradji, Samu Expósito, Héber Pena, Ariel Herrero, Nacho Ramón, Francisco Araujo, and Álvaro Yuste.
Coach: Manolo Sánchez

Atlético Malagueño: No data available
Coach: Francis Bravo

Goals: 0-1 Marcos Rosa (22'), 1-1 Jorge Álvarez (27')

Stadium: Francisco Muñoz Pérez