Alaves pulled off a stunning upset against league-leading Barcelona, winning 1-0 at Estadio Mendizorrotza through Ibrahim Diabaté's first-half strike on May 13, 2026.
Barcelona arrived in Vitoria as the dominant force in La Liga. The visitors sat top of the table with 91 points from 35 matches and an impressive five-game winning streak. Alaves, by contrast, occupied 18th place with just 37 points and struggled with inconsistent form. Few expected the hosts to threaten the league leaders.
The match began with Barcelona controlling possession as expected. The visitors dictated play from the opening minutes, keeping Alaves pinned back in their own half. However, the hosts remained compact and disciplined, looking to exploit opportunities on the counter-attack.
Alaves struck with devastating timing just before half-time. In the 45th minute plus one second, Ibrahim Diabaté found the back of the net to give the hosts a shock lead. The goal came from a moment of vulnerability in Barcelona's defense, and Diabaté finished clinically to send the home crowd into raptures.
Barcelona pressed hard for an equalizer as the second half began. Marcus Rashford received a yellow card in the 46th minute for a frustrated challenge. The visitors created chances but failed to convert them into goals.
The away side dominated possession throughout, recording 77 percent of the ball. Barcelona completed 605 of 676 passes with 89 percent accuracy, showcasing their technical quality. Despite their control, they managed just three goalkeeper saves and zero shots on target.
Alaves defended resolutely to protect their advantage. The hosts had limited possession at 23 percent but made their opportunities count. They completed 112 of 190 passes while absorbing Barcelona's attacking pressure.
Substitutions came late in the match as Barcelona searched for a breakthrough. Álvaro Cortés emerged as Barcelona's standout performer, earning a 7.7 rating for his defensive work. Jules Koundé also impressed at the back for the visitors.
Diabaté's performance proved crucial for Alaves. The goalscorer registered two shots on target from his limited time on the pitch. He played 64 minutes and earned a 7.2 rating for his match-winning contribution.
Barcelona registered five shots off target and blocked three attempts from Alaves. The expected goals data showed Barcelona at 0.59 compared to Alaves' 0.66, indicating the hosts created slightly better chances despite less possession.
Yellow cards punctuated the contest. Rashford received the first in the 46th minute, followed by Abdelhamid Rebbach for Alaves in the 81st minute. João Cancelo picked up a booking in the 89th minute as tensions rose.
This result offers little immediate change to the league standings. Barcelona remains top with 91 points, while Alaves stays 18th on 37 points. However, the victory provides the struggling hosts vital momentum in their fight for survival.
