Alaves delivered a crucial victory in their fight against relegation, defeating Real Betis 2-1 at the Mendizorrotza Stadium. The win ended a seven-match winless streak against Betis at home, giving Eduardo Coudet’s side a much-needed boost in confidence.
The Basque club had been struggling in recent weeks, sitting inside the relegation zone prior to the match. With momentum low and fans craving a positive result, Alaves came out determined to take control from the first whistle. Their performance against a Betis side that had been strong on the road was an encouraging display of resilience and tactical discipline.
Carlos Vicente opened the scoring in the third minute, linking up with Lucas Boye before firing a first-time finish past Antonio Sivera. The early goal set the tone for the hosts, who maintained intensity throughout the first half despite Betis pressing for an equalizer.
A Dominant First Half
Betis, hampered by injuries and squad rotation, struggled to impose themselves in the opening stages. Cedric Bakambu had one of the few chances for the visitors, forcing a save from Sivera, while Jonny Otto wasted a golden opportunity for Alaves when he shot wide after a well-timed pass from Toni Martinez.
Alaves’ threat from the wings and midfield control kept Betis on the back foot. A potential penalty for Betis after Abde Ezzalzouli went down following a challenge by Nahuel Tenaglia was overturned by VAR, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime. The home side entered the break with momentum firmly in their favor.
The first half demonstrated Alaves’ tactical maturity, combining quick transitions and disciplined defensive work to frustrate a traditionally strong Betis side.
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Martinez Doubles the Lead
Just two minutes after the restart, Toni Martinez doubled Alaves’ advantage. He met a well-placed Pablo Ibanez cross with a header that Antonio Lopez could only parry onto the post before the ball found the back of the net.
Betis struggled to respond. Pablo Ibanez continued to threaten from a distance, while substitutes Chimy Avila and Jon Pacheco attempted to create openings, but they failed to convert any opportunities. Betis looked disjointed and lacked the usual cohesion under Manuel Pellegrini’s management.
Alaves maintained control for the remainder of the half, using their lead to manage the game and frustrate Betis. Their defensive shape and smart positioning allowed them to absorb pressure effectively.
Betis’ Late Goal Too Little
Abde managed to pull one back for Betis in stoppage time, poking the ball past Sivera at his near post. However, the late strike was insufficient to salvage points, as Alaves held on to secure a vital victory.
The three points lift Alaves out of the relegation zone into 15th place. This result also highlights their improved home form, with only two losses in the past ten competitive matches at Mendizorrotza, including six wins and two draws.
Meanwhile, Betis’ long trip back to Andalusia was overshadowed by disappointment, marking just their second away league defeat of the season and leaving them nine points behind the top four. For Alaves, the win represents a crucial step towards LaLiga survival and a renewed sense of belief for the remainder of the campaign. Stay tuned for more interesting football discussions only on footballcoasters.co.uk.