It was a thriller at the Reale Arena on April 11, 2026, as Real Sociedad and Alavés delivered a six-goal spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last whistle. Matchday 31 of La Liga saw both clubs battling for crucial points—Sociedad with their eyes on European qualification and Alavés fighting to steer clear of relegation. The final score? A dramatic 3-3 draw, leaving both teams with mixed emotions as they look ahead to the season's final stretch.
Heading into the match, Real Sociedad sat seventh in the La Liga table with 41 points, while Alavés were fifteenth on 32 points. The stakes were high: Sociedad needed a win to keep pace in the race for continental football, and Alavés desperately sought breathing room above the relegation zone. The Reale Arena in San Sebastian was buzzing, with 31,024 supporters filling the stands—each one hoping to witness a pivotal moment in their team's campaign.
Both managers made bold choices with their lineups. For Real Sociedad, head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo handed starts to Sergio Gómez, Barrenetxea, Luka Sucic, and Orri Óskarsson, shaking up the usual order. Notably, attacking threats Mikel Oyarzabal, Guedes, and Kubo began the afternoon on the bench, perhaps a tactical move to inject energy later in the game. Alavés, managed by Quique Sánchez Flores, fielded a 5-3-2 formation, leaving Boyé, Aleñá, and Pacheco among the substitutes. The lineups signaled that both sides were ready to roll the dice in search of a result.
The opening exchanges set the tone for a wild encounter. Alavés struck first, albeit in an unusual fashion. In just the third minute, Real Sociedad defender Duje Caleta-Car inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, gifting the visitors an early lead. The groans from the home crowd were soon replaced by determined chants, as Sociedad pushed forward in response.
The action barely let up. In the 14th minute, Luka Sucic found the equalizer for Real Sociedad, finishing off a smart attacking move to bring the hosts level. But Alavés hit back quickly—just ten minutes later, Ibrahim Diabate restored their advantage with a well-taken goal that silenced the home support. The first half's drama wasn't done yet: in the 24th minute, an own goal by Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera leveled the match at 2-2. Two own goals in the first half? You couldn't make it up!
With both sides trading blows, the tactical battle between Matarazzo and Sánchez Flores was fascinating to watch. Sociedad enjoyed a slight edge in possession and passing accuracy—completing 507 passes at an 82.8% success rate compared to Alavés' 426 passes at 80.3%. Yet, Alavés looked dangerous on the counter, and their 27 crosses to Sociedad's 19 highlighted their intent to exploit the wide areas.
After the break, the tempo remained relentless. Orri Óskarsson, one of Sociedad's new starters, put his mark on the game in the 60th minute, slotting home to give the hosts their first lead of the afternoon. The Reale Arena erupted—was this the moment Sociedad would seize control?
Alavés, however, refused to go quietly. Both teams made substitutions, with Sociedad eventually introducing Oyarzabal, Guedes, and Kubo from the bench. But it was Sergio Gómez, another of Matarazzo's new inclusions, who looked to have sealed the victory. In stoppage time, Gómez found the net in the 90'+3 minute, sending the home crowd into delirium. At 3-2, it seemed Sociedad would claim all three points.
But football, as ever, had one more twist in store. Deep into added time, Alavés substitute Lucas Boyé—who had started the match on the bench—dramatically equalized in the 90'+7 minute. The away fans erupted, and the Alavés bench spilled onto the pitch in celebration. The final whistle blew moments later, confirming a 3-3 draw that felt like a win for the visitors and a gut-punch for Sociedad.
"We never gave up, even when it looked like the match was lost," Boyé said after the game, beaming with pride. "This point could be massive for us in the fight to stay up." According to ESPN, the match was a showcase of "relentless attacking intent and dramatic momentum swings," perfectly capturing the unpredictable spirit of La Liga.
Statistically, the match was as even as the scoreline suggested. Both teams finished with 12 shots apiece, though Sociedad managed four on target to Alavés' two. Alavés committed more fouls (18 to Sociedad's 11) and picked up three yellow cards, while Sociedad received two. The defensive work was evident: Sociedad made 17 tackles and 17 clearances, while Alavés recorded 15 tackles and an impressive 25 clearances, highlighting their determination to hold on in the closing stages.
Referee Victor García Verdura kept a firm grip on proceedings, with Carlos del Cerro Grande assisting as the Video Assistant Referee. The match was broadcast live on ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, and Fubo TV, ensuring fans across the globe could witness the drama unfold in real time.
The result leaves Real Sociedad seventh in La Liga with 42 points after 31 matches, clinging to hopes of European qualification but rueing a missed opportunity to climb higher. Alavés, meanwhile, remain fifteenth with 33 points—still embroiled in the relegation dogfight, but buoyed by their late heroics and the fighting spirit they showed in San Sebastian.
Both teams are dealing with injuries as the season enters its decisive phase. Sociedad were without Jon Martin Vicente, Alvaro Odriozola, and Jon Gorrotxategi, while Yangel Herrera was listed as doubtful. Alavés missed Facundo Garces and Carlos Benavidez, adding to the challenge of navigating the business end of the campaign.
Looking at the bigger picture, Sociedad's goal differential stands at +1, reflecting their season's ups and downs. Oyarzabal, despite starting on the bench, remains their top scorer with 12 goals in 27 games—a key figure as they aim to finish strong. For Alavés, Boyé's late goal took his tally to 11 in 25 games, underlining his importance in their survival bid.
As the dust settles, both clubs will reflect on what might have been. For neutral fans, though, this was La Liga at its entertaining best—a match with everything: own goals, late drama, and a reminder that in football, nothing is ever certain until the final whistle.