The Submarine, led by Gerard and Moleiro, topples Alavés and seals the best first half in the club’s history
This Villarreal side is extraordinary. And it is so for many reasons. One of them is that, after beating Deportivo Alavés (3–1), they now total 41 points. An impressive tally that, with one match still to play, already makes it the best first half of a season in the club’s history in the top flight.
With the magic of Gerard, Moleiro and also Mikautadze, the Submarine produced an almost perfect second half against Alavés, giving their opponents no chance. The Yellow Submarine have now recorded two wins from two matches in 2026 and have consolidated their position in third place in the league.
The Yellows welcomed the side coached by Coudet with the ambition of claiming their second victory in as many games and thus securing the best possible start to 2026. Marcelino’s men were aware that, if they achieved it, in addition to three hugely valuable points, they would also be writing a beautiful chapter in the history books of Villarreal CF: becoming the team with the best first half of a season in the club’s Primera División history.
The first chance of the match fell to Deportivo Alavés. Before the first minute had even elapsed, Toni Martínez went close with an acrobatic back-heel effort from a Carlos Vicente cross. Luiz Júnior dealt with it comfortably.
The battle for possession and the solid defensive work of both teams prevented further clear chances from appearing until the half-hour mark. In the opening stages, Villarreal looked to exploit space in behind, but the visitors dealt calmly with the runs of Ayoze and Mikautadze. Alavés, for their part, focused their play down the right flank, looking for Carlos Vicente, their most dangerous attacking outlet. The number 7 tried to reach the by-line and deliver crosses, and on one of his forays he tested his luck with a low, angled shot that went wide.
The Submarine’s response was immediate. Just a minute later, Mikautadze tried his luck. Inside the box, the Georgian cut inside his marker and unleashed a powerful strike towards the far post of the goal defended by Silvera.
The first half came to an end with a Villarreal side that lacked precision and a little more tempo to seriously trouble Alavés, who gradually dropped deeper but remained comfortable on the pitch.
At the break, Marcelino brought on Gerard in place of Ayoze to freshen up the attack and inject more spark into the second half. And the Submarine started the second period with a completely different look and much greater intensity.
