03/13/26 05:40:00
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03/13 17:38 CDT Villarreal late show breaks Alaves hearts in exciting draw
Villarreal late show breaks Alaves hearts in exciting draw
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (AP) --- Villarreal equalized 1-1 deep in stoppage time
and broke the hearts of relegation-threatened Alaves in La Liga on Friday.
The home side seemed destined for a first win in six games and a debut three
points for coach Quique Sanchez Flores, who was taking charge at home for the
first time since replacing Eduardo Coudet nine days ago.
Alaves had gone ahead in the 40th minute courtesy of an own goal from center
back Rafa Marin.
Toni Martnez's clever backheel from the byline smacked off Marin's head just
four meters from goal and flew past his own goalkeeper.
However, a late equalizer was always a worry for a side that has conceded as
many league goals in the last quarter of an hour as they have in the first half
of their matches this season.
Sure enough, Nicolas Pp did the damage with almost the last kick of the game
in the seventh minute of added time when he finished off a counterattack by
bending a fine shot into the far corner.
Villarreal moved above Atletico Madrid into third place in the table, a point
ahead of the capital club.
Alaves remained in 16th place in the 20-team table, three points above the
relegation zone.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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