Valencia left Vitoria with a 1-0 win over Alavés, thanks to a late goal from Luis Rioja. The result pushes Alavés down to fourth in La Liga and keeps Valencia clear of the relegation zone.
Valencia handed Alavés a setback in their strong start to the season, leaving Vitoria with a 1-0 win that shook up the La Liga standings. The only goal came late, but it had immediate consequences: Alavés, who started the day in second place, dropped to fourth. Valencia, meanwhile, stayed above the relegation line.
Neither team found much rhythm for most of the match. Valencia saw more of the ball—about 60 percent in the first half—but struggled to create real chances. Alavés managed the only two clear opportunities before halftime, exposing Valencia’s lack of threat up front.
The match at Estadio de Mendizorroza was officiated by Miguel Sesma Espinosa, with Valentín Pizarro Gómez overseeing VAR duties.
The breakthrough arrived in the 78th minute. Javier Guerra slipped a pass into the Alavés box, and Luis Rioja finished calmly past the keeper. That single moment settled a match defined by missed chances and solid defending on both sides.
Alavés, led by Quique Sánchez, had been one of the league’s early surprises. The loss dropped them to fourth place with 10 points. For Valencia, the win was enough to keep some distance from the bottom of the table and gave them a boost heading into the next round.
Next, Valencia will host Real Sociedad at Mestalla. Alavés faces a difficult away game at San Mamés against Athletic Club de Bilbao. With the table tightening, both teams will feel the pressure as every point starts to matter more.
According to ESPN Deportes, Valencia registered 13 shots to Alavés' 10, with both teams producing a combined total of only five shots on target. The win was especially significant for Valencia, as it ended a four-match losing streak and marked a positive start for interim coach Óscar Sánchez.
La Liga’s top teams have been dealing with injuries and unpredictable results in recent weeks, as seen in a recent report on Real Madrid’s own struggles. The current shake-up at the top shows how quickly things can change early in the season. Valencia took their chance when it came, while Alavés could not respond. In a league where the margins are small, execution matters more than possession or reputation.
