Valladolid clinched a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Deportivo Alavés in an intense match that kicked off the tenth round of La Liga.
The encounter, held at Alavés’ home ground, saw Valladolid’s Moroccan stars play a pivotal role, helping their team secure a much-needed win.
The match started brightly for the hosts as Alavés took an early lead, with Tony Martinez finding the net just six minutes into the game. However, Valladolid was quick to respond.
The visitors leveled the score at the 17th minute with a well-executed penalty by Senegalese forward Mamadou Sylla, setting the tone for a thrilling contest.
Valladolid’s breakthrough came in the second half, courtesy of Moroccan midfielder Slim Amallah.
The 27-year-old coolly converted a penalty in the 72nd minute, putting his team ahead.
Just four minutes later, the Moroccan momentum continued as Anwar El Tohamy extended the lead, slotting in a third goal for the visitors.
Alavés fought back fiercely, and their efforts were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Kiki Garcia managed to reduce the deficit, scoring from a clever pass by Moroccan international Abdelkabir Abqar.
However, Alavés’ hopes of a late comeback were dashed when Garcia was shown a red card in the final minutes, leaving the team one man down and out of time to find an equalizer.
The victory lifted Valladolid to eight points, moving them up to 18th in the league table, while Alavés remained at 14th place with ten points.
This win marked an important step for Valladolid, who are battling to climb out of the relegation zone.
Valladolid’s history in La Liga has been a mix of highs and lows. Their best finish came in the 1962-63 season when they secured fourth place, which remains their highest position in the league to date.
Despite their fluctuating presence in Spain’s top tier, Valladolid has competed in over 45 La Liga seasons and made occasional forays into European competitions, including a notable qualification for the UEFA Cup (now known as the UEFA Europa League) during the 1990s.
With their Moroccan talents shining brightly on the field, Valladolid will hope this win can serve as a turning point in their campaign, providing them with the momentum needed to steer clear of the relegation battle as the season progresses.
