Villarreal produced a dominant second-half display to beat Alaves, keeping their dreams of La Liga success alive despite the club’s early exits from the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The Yellow Submarine fired three second-half goals through Alberto Moleiro, Gerard Moreno, and Georges Mikautadze, reducing Barcelona’s lead at the top to eight points while having played one fewer match than the Catalan giants.
The win lifted Villarreal three points above Atletico Madrid and within four points of second-placed Real Madrid, who, like Atletico, have played an extra game. Coach Marcelino Garcia Toral remained upbeat, telling DAZN, “We hope we’re capable of winning our game in hand too and adding three more points to this extraordinary first half of the season.”
The first half was cagey, with Alaves keeping Villarreal largely at bay. Few clear chances emerged as both sides struggled to find rhythm. However, after the interval, Villarreal upped the intensity, showcasing fluid attacking movements and clinical finishing. Marcelino commented on the mid-season inconsistencies in January: “It’s true that in January, I don’t know if it’s because of the weather making your legs cold and your mind cold, but teams are often inconsistent. In the second half, we put together some superb moves, and we scored three beautiful goals.”
Moleiro opened the scoring after 49 minutes, continuing his sparkling form. The playmaker curled home his eighth goal of the season from the edge of the box, capitalizing on a perfect bounce. Six minutes later, veteran striker Gerard Moreno doubled the advantage, netting his first goal since November and reminding fans of his enduring quality. The scoring spree was completed by Georgia striker Georges Mikautadze, who converted a delightful chipped finish after an assist from Moleiro, sealing a dominant victory for the hosts.
Alaves did manage a consolation goal late in the match. A clumsy giveaway by Thomas Partey in front of his area allowed Toni Martinez to score, giving the visitors some pride in the 15th-placed team’s campaign. Despite the late goal, Villarreal were firmly in control and showed why they remain a force to be reckoned with in La Liga.
With their main focus now on domestic competition, Villarreal’s ambitions for their first-ever league title remain alive, even if the odds are against them. Defender Juan Foyth emphasized the team’s resilience after the match, saying, “We hoped to do better in the Champions League, but we’re alive in La Liga and we want to enjoy ourselves and keep adding points like we’ve been doing.”
Looking ahead, Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to clash in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, a matchup that could reshape the title race and affect Villarreal’s pursuit of domestic glory. For now, Villarreal’s focus remains on maximizing points from every fixture, particularly those games in hand that could close the gap on the league leaders.
Meanwhile, Valencia continued to struggle, earning a 1-1 draw at home against Elche, but still facing boos from frustrated fans. The club has now gone six league games without a win, leaving them in 18th place and under pressure to reverse their fortunes. Despite missing suspended top scorer Hugo Duro, Valencia showed improvement, but were undone by a 75th-minute goal from Grady Diangana. Pepelu later converted a late penalty to salvage a point, but tensions at Mestalla remain high. The midfielder reflected on the draw: “Another week where it’s hard for us to score the chances we make, and opponents punish us for it. It’s football; there are dynamics. They had one shot on target and we had various chances. We know the path we have to follow.”
Elsewhere in the league, Girona climbed to 12th place thanks to a clever flicked finish from Vladyslav Vanat, giving them a 1-0 win over Osasuna. The result lifted the Catalan club four points clear of the relegation zone, providing some much-needed breathing space. At the bottom, Real Oviedo earned a credible 1-1 draw at home against Real Betis, remaining five points from safety as the fight to avoid relegation intensifies.
Villarreal’s victory over Alaves not only demonstrated their attacking quality but also highlighted their determination to remain competitive in La Liga despite setbacks in other competitions. Marcelino’s tactical adjustments at halftime paid dividends, as the team moved the ball efficiently, exploited spaces, and converted their chances with precision. The combination of Moleiro’s creativity, Moreno’s experience, and Mikautadze’s finishing proved too much for Alaves, whose first-half resilience could not withstand the second-half surge.
As the season progresses, Villarreal’s focus will be on sustaining momentum and capitalizing on games in hand. With Barcelona and Real Madrid continuing to battle for the top spot, every point is crucial. Villarreal’s ability to stay in the mix will depend on consistency, squad depth, and their capacity to finish matches strongly, as seen in this victory over Alaves.
Fans will also be looking forward to the Spanish Super Cup clash between the league’s top two sides, which could open the door further for Villarreal if either Barcelona or Real Madrid drops points in the league. The Yellow Submarine remain outsiders for the title but continue to prove they are capable of challenging the traditional powerhouses when it matters most.
For fans of La Liga and updates on Villarreal’s campaign, Valencia’s struggles, and the fight across the table, full coverage is available at NetSports247.
