Alavés beat Villarreal 1-0.

The LaLiga encounter took place at Mendizorrotza in Vitoria-Gasteiz on the evening of 28 August 2026. Both sides entered the match looking to claim all three points, and the atmosphere was charged as the home crowd awaited the first-half action.

How it unfolded

The decisive moment arrived in the 31st minute when Lucas Boyé found the net for Alavés. Operating from the centre of the box, Boyé struck with his right foot and sent the ball to the centre of the goal, finishing a move that had been set up by Ángel Pérez’s assist. The goal gave Alavés a 1-0 lead that would hold for the remainder of the game.

Four minutes into the second half, Alavés midfielder Abde Rebbach was shown a yellow card. The booking did not alter the scoreline but added a note of caution for the home side.

With the match edging towards its closing stages, Villarreal’s winger Nicolas Pépé received a yellow card in the 86th minute. The caution came as the visitors pressed for an equaliser but were unable to create a clear scoring opportunity.

In the 89th minute, Alavés defender Mariano Díaz was booked for a bad foul. The timing of the card, just before full-time, underscored the intensity of the final minutes as both teams sought to maintain their positions.

The referee issued two further cautions in stoppage time. Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera was shown a yellow card in the 90+2 minute, followed immediately by Villarreal midfielder Renato Veiga, who also received a yellow for a bad foul. The match concluded with Alavés preserving their narrow lead to secure the three points.

Standout performers

  • Lucas Boyé – The Argentine forward supplied the only goal of the match, converting in the 31st minute after a precise pass from Ángel Pérez.
  • Ángel Pérez – Provided the assist that unlocked the defence and set up Boyé’s winning strike.

Match facts

  • Final score: Alavés 1-0 Villarreal
  • Goal: Lucas Boyé (Alavés) – 31' (assist: Ángel Pérez)
  • Bookings:
    • Abde Rebbach (Alavés) – 48'
    • Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal) – 86'
    • Mariano Díaz (Alavés) – 89' (bad foul)
    • Antonio Sivera (Alavés) – 90+2'
    • Renato Veiga (Villarreal) – 90+2' (bad foul)
  • Venue: Mendizorrotza, Vitoria-Gasteiz

What it means

Alavés leave the ground with a clean three points from a hard-fought home victory, while Villarreal return to their own stadium empty-handed after failing to break down the Alavés defence.