Villarreal Equalizes Late for 1-1 La Liga Draw at Alaves

VITORIA-GASTETZ, Spain - Villarreal snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against Alaves in La Liga on Friday, equalizing deep into stoppage time at Estadio de Mendizorrotza and denying the hosts a vital victory in their fight against relegation.

Alaves, who had not won in six league matches, took the lead in the 40th minute through an unfortunate own goal by defender Rafa Marin. Forward Toni Martinez delivered a clever backheel from the byline, and the ball struck Marin's head from close range before rolling past goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. The goal came at the end of a first half in which Alaves dominated possession and created the better chances, though Villarreal's Sivera made a key double save just before the interval to deny Santi Comesana.

The second half saw Villarreal push forward, but Alaves held firm despite defensive shortages due to suspensions and injuries. The visitors struggled to break down their opponents, often undone by misplaced passes or hesitant decisions in the final third. As the clock ticked into the seventh minute of added time, Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco drove into the Villarreal box and attempted an unselfish cutback, only for it to be intercepted....