Villarreal CF snatched a dramatic late point as Nicolas Pépé struck in the 98th minute to earn a 1–1 draw against Deportivo Alavés in their La Liga clash, extending the hosts’ winless run at home to four matches.
The match marked the first home game in charge for Alavés manager Quique Sánchez Flores, whose side faced a Villarreal team coached by Marcelino García Toral that had struggled to produce convincing results away from home in recent weeks.
Villarreal failed to assert themselves early on despite being the stronger side on paper. Their only clear opportunity in the opening half-hour came when Sergi Cardona met a corner with a near-post header that drifted wide.
At the other end, Toni Martínez had Alavés’ first real chance but dragged his effort off target.
Alavés Take the Lead
The home side broke the deadlock five minutes before the break. Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior initially made two saves inside the area to deny Pablo Ibáñez and Martínez.
However, Martínez cleverly flicked a backheel cross into the middle, which was inadvertently turned into his own net by Rafa Marín.
Villarreal pushed for a response before halftime, with Santi Comesaña testing Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera twice, but the shot-stopper produced two solid saves. Pépé then fired the rebound over the bar.
The contest became disjointed after the interval, partly due to the wet conditions in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Martínez and Ibáñez both tried their luck for the hosts but failed to find the target. Villarreal also came close when Georges Mikautadze saw his near-post strike pushed away by Sivera.
Pépé nearly levelled with a deflected effort that rolled just past the post, while a long throw from Alex Freeman almost forced another own goal as Ville Koski narrowly avoided diverting the ball into his own net, with the post coming to his rescue.
Pépé’s Late Heroics
Just when it looked like Marín’s own goal would prove decisive, Pépé produced a moment of brilliance deep into stoppage time.
The winger unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that flew past Sivera to salvage a point for Villarreal.
The late setback will frustrate Sánchez Flores, whose Alavés side are now without a win in their last six league games (three draws, three defeats).
They remain only three points above the relegation zone.
Villarreal, meanwhile, will be relieved to avoid defeat, although the draw means they have managed just one victory in their last six away league outings.
