Deportivo Alavés 1-1 Malaga: Points Shared at Mendizorroza After Second-Half Response

Deportivo Alavés and Malaga played out a competitive 1-1 draw in Spanish La Liga at Mendizorroza on 24 October 2026, with the hosts taking an early lead before the visitors restored parity after the break. The result added another point to both clubs’ league totals and left the sides with a familiar sense of both opportunity and frustration in a tightly contested mid-table encounter.

Alavés started with the greater urgency, pressing high and forcing Malaga into a series of early clearances. The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when the home side worked the ball down the right and delivered a low cross into the penalty area. Aitor Merino, leading the line for Alavés, arrived ahead of his marker to guide the ball past the goalkeeper and give the hosts a deserved advantage.

Match overview

The opening goal gave Alavés control of the tempo, but Malaga gradually settled into the game. The visitors began to find space between the lines and tested the Alavés back four with quick combinations around the edge of the box. Alavés goalkeeper Diego Conde was called into action twice before half-time, saving comfortably from a header and then reacting well to smother a low effort at the near post.

After the interval, Malaga pushed higher up the pitch and were rewarded in the 63rd minute. A patient passing move ended with Pablo Arriaza receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area. The forward cut inside onto his right foot and curled a measured finish beyond Conde to make it 1-1. The equaliser changed the mood of the contest, with both teams sensing they could go on to win it.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Aitor Merino opens the scoring for Deportivo Alavés after a quick right-sided attack and a low cross into the box.
• 34th minute: Malaga’s first clear chance arrives from a header, but Diego Conde saves comfortably in the Alavés goal.
• 63rd minute: Pablo Arriaza equalises for Malaga with a composed curling finish from the left side of the penalty area.
• 78th minute: Alavés substitute Jon Bautista forces a sharp save at the other end as the hosts search for a winner.
• 90+3 minutes: Malaga clear a late corner and the final whistle confirms a 1-1 draw.

Tactical story

Alavés set up with an aggressive pressing structure, looking to win the ball back quickly in Malaga’s half and attack through the channels. That approach paid off early, but it also left space behind the midfield line once Malaga began to beat the first press. The visitors adjusted by dropping a midfielder deeper to link play and by targeting the wide areas when Alavés’ full-backs pushed forward.

Malaga’s second-half improvement was built on better ball retention and more purposeful movement in the final third. Their equaliser came from exactly the kind of patient build-up that had been missing in the first half. Alavés responded by introducing fresh legs in attack, but the home side struggled to recreate the early intensity that had produced the opening goal.

Standout performers

Aitor Merino was Alavés’ most dangerous attacker, holding the ball up well and giving the home side a focal point in the box. Diego Conde also made important saves at key moments, particularly in the first half when Malaga began to grow into the game. For Malaga, Pablo Arriaza was the standout figure, not only for his equalising goal but also for his willingness to drop into space and link play.

In midfield, Alavés captain Unai Vencedor worked tirelessly to disrupt Malaga’s rhythm, while Malaga’s deep-lying playmaker kept the visitors composed under pressure. Both defences had difficult spells, but neither side did enough in the final twenty minutes to claim all three points.

What the result means

The draw keeps Deportivo Alavés in the middle section of the La Liga standings, where consistency at home will be important if they are to push towards the upper half of the table. Malaga will take encouragement from an away point and a second-half performance that showed character, though they will also feel they could have taken more from the game after creating the better chances late on.

Both clubs now turn their attention to the next round of fixtures, with Alavés looking to rediscover their home scoring touch and Malaga aiming to build on a solid away result. In a league where small margins often decide the difference between a mid-table finish and aEuropean push, this 1-1 draw may prove more valuable than it first appears.