La Liga
Alaves 1-0 Villarreal: Boye strike earns home win in Vitoria
Lamine Boye's 31st-minute goal proved enough for Alaves to secure three points at Estadio de Mendizorroza.
Alaves picked up their first home win of the new La Liga campaign thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Villarreal at Estadio de Mendizorroza. The hosts made the breakthrough in the 31st minute when Lamine Boye slotted home from close range, converting a low cross from assist provider A. Perez to send the home crowd into celebration.
The goal came against the run of play, as Villarreal had started the match brightly and enjoyed plenty of possession. But Alaves, operating under Quique Sanchez Flores in a disciplined 5-3-2 shape, were dangerous on the counter-attack and made their moments count. Boye’s finish was composed, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper after a well-worked move down the left channel.
Villarreal pushed forward in the second half in search of an equalizer, with their 4-4-2 system offering width and energy. However, Alaves’ defensive line, marshalled by their back five, remained resolute. The visitors had a few half-chances, but none truly tested the home goalkeeper in the final third.
Discipline became a factor late in the game, as the referee, Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos, handed out a series of bookings. Alaves’ Q. Sanchez Flores was the first to see yellow in first-half stoppage time, followed by A. Rebbach in the 48th minute. Villarreal’s N. Pepe picked up a booking in the 86th minute, and tensions flared in the final moments as M. Diaz and A. Sivera were both cautioned for the hosts, while R. Veiga received a yellow card for the visitors in the 90th minute.
Despite the late pressure and the mounting yellow cards, Alaves managed to hold on for the win. The result leaves them in fifth place in the La Liga table after two matches, with four points to their name. Villarreal, meanwhile, remain in 11th position with two points from their opening two games.
The victory will be a morale boost for Alaves as they look ahead to their next fixture, while Villarreal will need to regroup quickly, particularly in attack, if they hope to climb the table. For now, the points belong to the Basque Country side, who defended their home turf with determination and earned all three points.