MÁLAGA (Interstat) — Villarreal overcame an early deficit and defeated Málaga 3-1 on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, in a Spanish La Liga match at Estadio La Rosaleda. Carlos Dotor gave Málaga the lead in the 12th minute, finishing a Juan Cruz assist. Alberto Moleiro equalized for Villarreal in the 40th, and Pape Guèye put the visitors ahead two minutes into first-half stoppage time. Ilias Akhomach assisted one goal and received a yellow card. Villarreal’s season record in the competition moved to 1-1, matching its all-competitions mark. Málaga remained without a win at 0-3-3, in the league and overall. Yellow cards went to Málaga’s José Salinas, David Larrubia, Einar Galilea, Ramón Enríquez and Alfonso Herrero, and to Villarreal’s Akhomach. Málaga previously drew with Celta 1-1 and Levante 0-0 before falling to Villarreal. Málaga next visits Getafe on Sunday, Sept. 20, while Villarreal next plays at Real Madrid on Saturday, Oct. 10.