In a gripping La Liga clash, Real Valladolid edged past Alaves 3-2 in a highly intense and action-packed game.
The match had it all—goals, penalties, VAR reviews, and a late red card—leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Despite a valiant effort from Alaves, Real Valladolid’s clinical finishing and key moments made the difference in this tightly contested fixture.
The match kicked off at a high tempo, with Alaves seizing the early initiative. The home side’s aggressive pressing paid off in the sixth minute when Toni Martínez struck a beautiful right-footed shot from outside the box, finding the bottom left corner of the net. This early goal electrified the home crowd and gave Alaves a crucial 1-0 lead.
Alaves continued to push forward, determined to build on their advantage. They came close to adding a second, with Tomás Conechny forcing a good save from Real Valladolid goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj in the 11th minute.
However, Valladolid slowly began to find their rhythm, weathering the storm and gradually working their way into the game.
Penalty Drama and Real Valladolid’s Response
In the 15th minute, the tide began to turn when Anuar Tuhami was fouled inside the penalty box by Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, awarding Real Valladolid a penalty.
Mamadou Sylla stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, leveling the score at 1-1.
This equalizer shifted the momentum in Valladolid’s favor. Alaves tried to regroup, but the visitors, buoyed by the goal, pressed forward with more confidence. The first half ended with both sides locked at 1-1, but the stage was set for an even more eventful second half.
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VAR and Real Valladolid Take Control
Early in the second half, Alaves thought they had regained the lead when Jon Guridi found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review for offside. The disappointment was palpable, and it seemed to affect the home side’s concentration.
Real Valladolid capitalized on this momentary lapse. In the 68th minute, Alaves conceded a handball inside their own box, gifting Valladolid their second penalty of the match. This time, Selim Amallah confidently converted, sending his shot straight down the middle to give Valladolid a 2-1 lead.
With Alaves reeling from the sudden shift in fortune, Valladolid struck again just minutes later. Following a swift counter-attack, Anuar Tuhami netted his side’s third goal in the 76th minute, driving the ball into the bottom left corner after a well-worked move. The visitors now had a commanding 3-1 lead, and Alaves were left with a mountain to climb.
Alaves’ Fightback and Late Drama
Despite falling two goals behind, Alaves refused to go down without a fight. The home side pressed relentlessly, and their efforts were rewarded in the 97th minute when Kike García found the net with a powerful right-footed shot to bring the score to 3-2. The goal, assisted by Abdel Abqar, gave Alaves a glimmer of hope as the match entered its final moments.
However, the late goal was not enough to rescue a point for the home side. Just moments after scoring, Kike García received his second yellow card for a reckless foul, leading to his dismissal in the 99th minute. This left Alaves down to 10 men, and with little time remaining, Real Valladolid held on to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
Key Performers
For Real Valladolid, Anuar Tuhami was a standout performer. His ability to win the penalty and later score the third goal was instrumental in his side’s victory. Meanwhile, Mamadou Sylla played a crucial role, both as a provider and as a cool head from the penalty spot.
On the other side, Alaves’ Kike García was both a hero and a villain. His late goal gave Alaves hope, but his red card moments later dashed any realistic chance of a comeback.
Toni Martínez, who scored Alaves’ opener, also deserves mention for his strong performance in the first half, but it wasn’t enough to secure a result for his team.
Throughout the match, Real Valladolid showcased tactical discipline, especially in their ability to counter-attack effectively.
Despite Alaves dominating large spells of the game, Valladolid capitalized on their key opportunities, particularly through their two penalty goals. Their ability to strike quickly on the break, as evidenced by Anuar’s goal, ultimately secured their victory.
