Moleiro Inspires Villarreal as Yellow Submarine Sink Alavés

Villarreal produced a dominant second-half performance to overcome Deportivo Alavés 3-1 on Saturday evening, extending their strong home form and collecting three valuable points in LaLiga Round 19.

The first half was competitive and finely balanced, with Alavés showing early intent. Toni Martínez forced Luiz Júnior into a sharp save inside the opening minute, while the visitors continued to threaten sporadically through Carlos Vicente and Carles Aleñá. Villarreal, meanwhile, controlled possession but struggled to convert territory into clear-cut chances, with Georges Mikautadze and Alberto Moleiro both firing off target before the interval. The sides went in level at 0-0 after a stop-start opening 45 minutes marked by fouls and interruptions.

The game shifted decisively just four minutes into the second half. Alberto Moleiro broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, cutting inside and unleashing a precise right-footed strike from outside the box that flew into the top corner to give Villarreal the lead. The goal lifted the tempo and confidence of the hosts, who suddenly looked far more incisive in attack.

Villarreal doubled their advantage in the 55th minute through Gerard Moreno. Breaking quickly on the counter, Moreno found space outside the area and drilled a low left-footed effort into the bottom corner, punishing Alavés for pushing numbers forward and giving the Yellow Submarine firm control of the contest.

Alavés attempted to respond with a series of substitutions and increased attacking intent, but Villarreal remained composed. Their third goal arrived in the 75th minute and effectively sealed the match. Moleiro once again played the architect, slipping a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Georges Mikautadze, who finished clinically with his right foot into the top left corner to make it 3-0.

The visitors did manage a late consolation in the 85th minute when Toni Martínez struck from close range after sustained pressure, briefly giving Alavés something to cling to. However, any hopes of a dramatic comeback were comfortably extinguished as Villarreal managed the closing stages with maturity and control.

The win reflects Villarreal’s growing confidence and attacking cohesion, particularly after the interval, while Alavés will rue their inability to capitalize on first-half moments and defensive lapses after the restart. With key contributions from Moleiro, Moreno and Mikautadze, Villarreal ensured it was a convincing night at La Cerámica.