Deportivo Alaves produced one of the most remarkable results of the La Liga season on Tuesday, defeating champions Barcelona 1-0 at the Estadio de Mendizorroza to bring an end to the Catalans' extraordinary 11-game winning run. Ibrahim Diabate scored the only goal of the match in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a well-worked corner routine to send the home crowd into raptures.
The decisive moment arrived just before the interval when Antonio Blanco rose to nod a corner delivery back across the goalmouth. Diabate, showing quick reflexes and sharp technique, hooked the ball past Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had no chance of keeping out the close-range effort. It was a moment of quality from the Alaves forward that perfectly encapsulated his team's determined and organized performance.
For Alaves, the significance of this victory extends far beyond the symbolic value of defeating the newly crowned champions. The relegation-threatened side kept their first clean sheet in 21 La Liga matches, a defensive record that had been a constant source of concern for their supporters throughout the campaign. Head coach Luis Garcia Plaza will be delighted with the resolve and discipline his players showed against one of Europe's most potent attacking forces.
The three points moved Alaves out of the relegation zone in what is shaping up to be one of the tightest survival battles in recent La Liga history. Every point is precious at this stage of the season, and overcoming Barcelona — regardless of the circumstances — represents a monumental confidence boost for a squad fighting for their top-flight status. The players celebrated with the fans long after the final whistle, fully aware of the magnitude of their achievement.
Barcelona had already secured the La Liga title on May 10 with a commanding 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid, meaning this fixture carried little competitive importance for Hansi Flick's side. The German coach opted to rotate his squad significantly, resting several key players ahead of their remaining commitments. Despite the dead-rubber nature of the game, the defeat still represents a rare blemish on what has been a dominant campaign.
The result also raises questions about Barcelona's ability to maintain intensity once the major objectives have been achieved. While supporters will not lose sleep over a single loss in an already triumphant season, Flick will want to see his players finish the campaign on a strong note. Barcelona still have two La Liga fixtures remaining — against Real Betis and Valencia — before they can reflect on a remarkable title-winning campaign.
For the neutral observer, the match served as a reminder that La Liga continues to deliver surprises until the very last day. Alaves' victory demonstrates that even the most modest clubs can rise to the occasion when survival is at stake, and it ensures that the relegation drama will continue to captivate audiences in the final weeks of the season.
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