Santa Cruz and Weligton were on target for the Blue and Whites as they beat Getafe 2-1 on Sunday, Valera scoring for the visitors. Málaga are still looking for a top six finish, hoping that their European ban will be overturned now that their finances are more in order.
At one stage not so long ago, Málaga were cruising to a Champions League spot but a run of bad results has all but put paid to that ambition.
Real Sociedad tightened their grip on fourth place with a 4-2 win against Valencia. Soldado put Valencia ahead after twenty-five minutes but Martinez equalised ten minutes late to make it all square at the break.
Second half goals from Castro and Agirretxe put Real in command and after Jonas pulled another one back almost at the end, Agirretxe scored his second of the night in time added on.