Mañas Stuns Malaga Late as Alaves Snatch 1-1 Draw

Alaves 1-1 Malaga: La Liga Stalemate Sees Late Drama

Alaves clawed back from the brink in the 89th minute through Aitor Mañas to snatch a 1-1 draw against Malaga in a fiercely contested La Liga encounter at Mendizorroza. Adrián Niño’s first-half strike looked destined to condemn the hosts to defeat until substitute Mañas sent the home faithful into raptures with his late intervention.

Malaga Strike First Against Run of Play

The visitors took the lead completely against the run of play in the 44th minute when Ramón Enríquez found Adrián Niño, whose clinical finish survived a VAR check. It was a gut punch for Alaves who had dominated possession (63%) and peppered the Malaga box with 12 first-half shots. Lucas Boyé’s yellow card moments before the goal summed up their mounting frustration.

Alaves’ Relentless Second-Half Siege

Quique Sánchez Flores threw on attacking substitutes including former Real Madrid striker Mariano Díaz as Alaves launched wave after wave of attacks. Their 18 total shots and 1.88 xG told the story of dominance, but Malaga’s backline held firm until the 89th minute. Then came the moment of catharsis – Mañas, one of Flores’ five second-half changes, pounced to level amid scenes of pure elation in the stands.

What This Result Means

For Alaves, this felt like a victory stolen from the jaws of defeat, their never-say-die attitude rewarded in dramatic fashion. Malaga will rue missed chances to kill the game, with just 37% possession and 0.72 xG showing their defensive approach nearly paid off. Both sides remain mid-table, but the psychological impact of this finish could prove pivotal in their La Liga campaigns.

Key Moments

44′ ⚽ Malaga — Adrian Nino (assist: Ramón Enríquez)

89′ ⚽ Alaves — Aitor Mañas