Key Takeaways:
- Alaves achieved a 1-0 victory over Barcelona, securing their first La Liga clean sheet in 21 matches
- The hosts climbed out of the relegation zone, moving up to 15th place with two games remaining in the season
- Barcelona’s 11-match winning run in La Liga came to an end after making eight changes to their line-up
Match Analysis
Alaves produced a disciplined defensive display to stun newly-crowned LaLiga champions Barcelona at the Estadio de Mendizorroza. The home side, who had not managed a clean sheet in their previous 20 league fixtures, shut out an experimental Barcelona side and claimed a valuable three points with a 1-0 triumph.
Barcelona, having already secured the league title in their previous outing, opted for eight changes to their starting XI. The reshuffled side struggled for cohesion, handing the initiative to an Alaves outfit still fighting for their top-flight future.
FT: #AlavesBarça 1-0
💙 Alaves wins against the champions! #LALIGAEASPORTS #DESENLACELALIGA pic.twitter.com/uVRFP7VHVD
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 13, 2026
Key Moments and Tactical Breakdown
The opening exchanges saw Ibrahim Diabate threaten immediately, carving out the first chance inside the first minute. The visitors answered with a series of half-chances of their own, but neither team could muster a shot on target from a combined nine attempts by the 30-minute mark, highlighting a lack of attacking precision from both sides.
With Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford unable to make an impact for the Catalans, both sides found themselves bogged down in midfield congestion, resulting in limited entertainment for the spectators.
Alaves, needing a victory to leave the relegation zone, pushed forward and found reward just before half-time. Diabate outmuscled Marc Bernal and produced a superb volley to break the deadlock, netting what would prove to be the decisive goal past Wojciech Szczesny.
Early in the second half, Szczesny was again called into action to deny Diabate’s forceful header, keeping the visitors in contention. Alaves, however, emphasised their defensive intent by adopting a five-man defensive line, intent on preserving their slim advantage to secure a first clean sheet since earlier in the campaign.
Defensive Stand and Match Statistics
Despite late pressure from Barcelona – including a 15-minute spell of sustained possession deep in Alaves’ half – the hosts’ rearguard stood firm. The Catalans were ultimately unable to break down a determined defensive unit, bringing their own 11-match LaLiga winning streak to a sudden halt.
The victory not only marks Alaves’ first win over Barcelona in eight years and 18 attempts, but also lifts them to 15th position, boosting their survival hopes with only two matches left to play.
