Alavés Stuns Mallorca In Dramatic La Liga Clash

Deportivo Alavés pulled off a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over RCD Mallorca in a tense La Liga match on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The win keeps Alavés' survival hopes alive while denting Mallorca's push for European qualification.

The match, played at Mendizorrotza Stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz, saw Mallorca take an early lead through Vedat Muriqi's 12th-minute penalty. Alavés equalized in the 65th minute through Luis Rioja before Jon Guridi netted the dramatic winner in the 89th minute.

This game is trending in the U.S. due to its implications for American players. Mallorca's Matthew Hoppe came off the bench in the 70th minute, while Alavés' U.S. international defender Shaq Moore played the full 90 minutes. Both players are being closely watched ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.

The result leaves Alavés just three points from safety with five games remaining. Mallorca, meanwhile, missed a chance to move into the top seven. Spanish soccer has gained increased American viewership since the arrival of stars like Lionel Messi in MLS.

Fans took to social media to praise Alavés' fighting spirit, with many highlighting Moore's solid defensive performance. The match drew strong ratings on ESPN+, which holds U.S. broadcasting rights for La Liga. With the World Cup approaching, American interest in European-based USMNT players continues to grow.

Both teams face crucial matches next weekend. Alavés travels to Sevilla, while Mallorca hosts Athletic Bilbao in what could prove decisive for their respective seasons. The dramatic nature of this contest has made it one of the weekend's most discussed soccer matches stateside.