The Yellow Submarine continued their impressive run in La Liga on Saturday afternoon, securing a clinical 3–1 victory over Deportivo Alavés at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The win reinforces Villarreal’s grip on third place and keeps them firmly within striking distance of the title race as they enter the second half of the 2026 campaign.
Match recap
After a scoreless first half that saw Alavés put up a stubborn defensive front, Villarreal found their rhythm immediately following the interval. Alberto Moleiro broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a brilliant curled effort from the edge of the box. The momentum stayed with the hosts, and veteran striker Gerard Moreno doubled the lead in the 55th minute, marking his first goal since November.
Villarreal effectively put the game beyond reach in the 75th minute when Georges Mikautadze produced a clever dinked finish over the keeper, following a clinical assist from Moleiro. While Alavés managed to salvage a goal in the 85th minute through Toni Martínez after a rare defensive lapse from Thomas Partey, the result was never truly in doubt.
Oluwaseyi’s performance
Coming off a strong cameo against Elche, Tani Oluwaseyi was again called upon to provide late energy as Villarreal looked to close out the match and manage their lead.
- Late introduction: Tani entered the match in the 82nd minute, replacing Alfonso Pedraza as Marcelino opted for fresh legs to see out the final stages.
- Tactical flexibility: Although primarily an attacking threat, Tani was tasked with tracking back and maintaining the defensive shape as Alavés pushed for a late comeback.
- High-intensity cameo: In his limited minutes, Tani provided a physical presence on the left flank, successfully shielding the ball to kill time and disrupting Alavés’ attempts to build from the back.
- Building momentum: While he didn’t find the scoresheet today, this appearance marks his second straight outing as a trusted sub, further solidifying his place in a squad that is currently one of the best in Spain.
Stats
- Minutes played: 8
- Touches: 6
- Pass accuracy: 80%
- Duels won: 1
With this victory, Villarreal cuts the lead of table-topping Barcelona to just eight points with a game in hand. For the former Loon, being a part of a title-contending rotation in La Liga is a massive achievement. Tani and the Yellow Submarine will look to maintain this form as they head into a busy stretch of January fixtures.
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