Alavés and Malaga played out a 1-1 draw at Mendizorroza on Friday evening, a match decided by a first-half strike that survived a VAR review and a late equalizer from the home side. The game was a tactical battle in which Malaga's compact block frustrated Alavés for long spells, before a late substitution changed the attacking dynamic for the hosts.

The scoring opened in the 44th minute when Adrian Nino found the net for Malaga, giving the visitors a lead just before the interval. The goal was reviewed by VAR and confirmed in first-half stoppage time, allowing Malaga to head into the break with their advantage intact. Alavés pushed for a response throughout the second half, and their persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Aitor Mañas scored to level the contest at 1-1, rescuing a point for the home side.

Discipline was a recurring theme. Lucas Boyé was booked for Alavés in the 39th minute, five minutes before Malaga's goal. Nahuel Tenaglia followed him into the book in the 67th minute, and Malaga's Carlos Dotor was cautioned in the 84th minute before being substituted three minutes later. Juan Francisco Funes Arjona received a yellow card in the second minute of stoppage time as Malaga managed the closing stages.

Alavés made heavy use of the bench, with Carles Aleñá introduced at half-time and Nicolas Valentini, Abderrahmane Rebbach and Mariano Díaz all entering on 55 minutes. Antonio Blanco followed on 75 minutes. Malaga responded with changes of their own: Adam Aznou and Ramón Enríquez came on in the 68th minute, while Carlos Puga replaced the goalscorer Nino on 77 minutes. The Alavés vs Malaga lineups showed both coaches willing to reshape their sides, and the timing of those substitutions proved decisive - the hosts' fresh legs eventually told as Mañas struck late. Key players on both sides carried the tactical burden of a tight, low-scoring contest, with Malaga's discipline in defense nearly enough to protect Nino's confirmed goal until the final minutes.