In a thrilling back-and-forth match in La Liga, Lucas Boyé shone for Alavés, scoring a brace to secure a 2-2 draw against Girona at the Mendizorroza Stadium. This result marked Alavés' second consecutive draw, leaving them with a precarious three-point cushion above the relegation zone in La Liga. Girona, on the other hand, held a slightly better position in the standings, sitting three places and three points above their opponents in the league table. However, only a six-point margin separated Girona, in the 11th position, from Mallorca, who occupied the final relegation spot.
The game kicked off with the home team taking the lead early on, as Girona's goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, made a mistake trying to intercept a low cross from Yusi, allowing Boyé to tap the ball into the net from close range. Despite Alavés' initial lead, Girona responded strongly and managed to equalize just 14 minutes before halftime, with a headed goal from Axel Witsel redirected into the net by Vladyslav Vanat.
Girona surged ahead in the 73rd minute when a splendid through ball from Azzedine Ounahi split the Alavés defense, enabling Viktor Tsygankov to stay composed, round the goalkeeper, and slot the ball into the empty net. However, Boyé's late header in the final minute secured a well-deserved draw for Alavés, potentially crucial in their battle to avoid relegation.
Boyé, the Argentine forward, played a pivotal role in the match, displaying his goal-scoring prowess to salvage a point for his team after Girona had overturned the initial 1-0 lead. Boyé's consistency in finding the back of the net was evident, having scored seven goals in each of his five years in La Liga, with an exception of his spell at Granada where he notched six goals.
Alavés made several lineup changes compared to their previous game against Sevilla, with Coudet introducing Parada, Otto, Ibáñez, and Ángel in the starting eleven. Girona stuck with the same lineup that secured a victory against Barcelona at Montilivi. The early stages of the match saw Girona dominating possession, while Alavés opted to sit back and look for opportunities on the counter-attack.
Yusi set up Boyé for the opening goal in the 5th minute, capitalizing on a long ball from defense, putting Alavés ahead 1-0 with Boyé's sixth goal of the season. Gazzaniga's uncertainty and Reis's inability to clear a dangerous ball caused some disarray in the subsequent minutes for Girona. Despite Toni Martínez missing a clear chance, Girona regained their rhythm, showcasing good combinations and posing a threat through Bryan Gil's flank.
Toni Martínez squandered another golden opportunity in the 25th minute, intended more for Aleñá but poorly struck by Martínez. The match saw Alavés conceding their first goal from a corner or set-piece this season, breaking their clean record in that aspect. A corner kick led to Witsel's header finding the back of the net, with Vanat scoring his eighth goal of the season for Girona.
Both teams appealed for penalties in each other's boxes, but the referee made accurate decisions to deny the calls. As the game progressed, both goalkeepers were tested by long-range efforts from Iván Martín and Antonio Blanco, with both shot-stoppers displaying solid performances to keep the scoreline unchanged until halftime after a four-minute stoppage time.
Alavés started the second half stronger, creating chances as Yusi narrowly missed the target. The home team displayed more intensity, pressing Girona's build-up play and causing turnovers. Gazzaniga sustained a finger injury, but soldiered on for the entire match with a dislocated index finger on his left hand. Girona's substitutions, particularly the introduction of energetic players like Ounahi and Echeverri, made an impact, while Alavés made fewer notable changes.
The match witnessed opportunities for Aleñá, Tenaglia, and Ibáñez for the home side, while Witsel and Ounahi posed a constant threat for Girona. Sivera made a sensational save to prevent Girona from extending their lead to 1-3. Just when a victory seemed likely for the visitors, Boyé's header, his seventh league goal, leveled the match that extended beyond the 90th minute. In the buildup to Alavés' equalizer, Toni Martínez's challenge on Blind was contentious, but the goal stood after VAR review placed the incident outside the official's sight.
Overall, the match between Alavés and Girona provided an engaging spectacle filled with drama, momentum swings, and individual brilliance. Both teams showed resilience in their quest for valuable points in the intense battle for survival in La Liga. Boyé's heroics and Girona's spirited display added more intrigue to the closely contested encounter, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of Spanish football.
The draw left Alavés with mixed emotions, as Boyé expressed frustration at not securing all three points against a direct rival in the relegation battle. With the La Liga campaign heating up and the relegation battle becoming tighter, every point gained or lost could have significant implications for Alavés, Girona, and other teams fighting to stay in the Spanish top-flight.
