Lucas Boyé's late heroics clinch a dramatic 2-2 draw for Alaves against Girona, ensuring a shared point in a thrilling La Liga battle.
Lucas Boyé's second goal of the match rescued a vital point for Alaves in a captivating 2-2 draw against Girona. The Argentine striker’s 89th-minute equalizer capped a back-and-forth contest at Estadio Mendizorrotza.
Entering the fixture, both teams aimed to improve their La Liga standing. Alaves, sitting 15th with 26 points, sought to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Meanwhile, 13th-placed Girona, with 29 points, hoped to climb into the top half of the table.
The match burst into life almost immediately. Alaves seized an early lead in the 5th minute when Lucas Boyé expertly finished from close range. He converted a well-placed assist from Yusi, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Girona, however, responded with composure and began to control possession. They built patiently, searching for an opening. Their persistent efforts paid dividends just past the half-hour mark, demonstrating their resilience.
In the 31st minute, Vladyslav Vanat drew Girona level. He capitalized on a clever pass from Axel Witsel, calmly slotting the ball past the Alaves goalkeeper. The score stood 1-1 as the first half concluded.
Both managers would have urged their teams to find another gear during the interval. Girona, with their superior possession, looked to turn control into more goals. Alaves aimed to rediscover their early attacking spark and defensive solidity.
The second half began with continued intensity. Alaves’ Yusi received a yellow card for holding an opponent early after the restart in the 50th minute. Girona made tactical changes to boost their attack, introducing fresh legs around the hour mark, including Azzedine Ounahi.
The visitors’ persistence paid off in the 73rd minute. Viktor Tsygankov fired Girona ahead with a clinical strike, following a sharp assist from substitute Ounahi. Girona now held a valuable 2-1 lead, momentarily silencing the home fans.
Alaves refused to give up, pushing forward with determination. They introduced their own attacking substitutions, desperate to find an equalizer. The pressure mounted on the Girona defense, who collected yellow cards for fouls in quick succession.
Just when it seemed Girona would claim all three points, Alaves found a late breakthrough. Lucas Boyé stepped up again in the 89th minute, guiding home his second goal of the day. He connected with Victor Parada's crucial assist, securing a dramatic finish and a shared outcome.
Statistics highlighted Girona's slight advantage in expected goals (xG 2.22 to Alaves' 1.87), reflecting their controlled possession (55%). However, Alaves created more total shots, firing 17 attempts compared to Girona's 10, showcasing their attacking intent throughout.
This hard-fought 2-2 draw saw both Alaves and Girona add a point to their La Liga tallies. Alaves will take confidence from their spirited late comeback, while Girona will rue letting a winning position slip away in the dying minutes.
