Racing Santander 1-1 Deportivo Alavés: pre-season friendly ends level in entertaining stalemate

Racing Santander and Deportivo Alavés played out an evenly matched 1-1 draw in an International Club Friendly at the Campos de Sport de El Sardinero on 8 August 2026. Both sides used the encounter as vital preparation for the upcoming season, with the result reflecting a contest that featured a battling midfield, plenty of attacking intent, and notable moments of quality from two established Spanish clubs.

Match overview

With the new season on the horizon, both coaching staffs opted for a mix of first-team regulars and fringe players, giving the friendly a competitive yet experimental feel. Racing Santander started the brighter, pressing high and creating an early chance, while Alavés gradually found their rhythm and began to control possession in midfield.

The match was played at a good tempo throughout, with both sides looking to fine-tune their pressing structures and defensive compactness. A draw seemed a fair result, although Racing will feel they should have taken all three opportunities they created late in the second half.

Key moments

• Racing open the scoring: A precise finish from inside the box after a lovely passing combination put Racing ahead in the 20th minute.
• Alavés respond immediately: The visitors equalized just after the half-hour mark with a well-placed header from a corner kick.
• Second-half changes: Both managers made multiple substitutions after the break, which disrupted the flow but allowed young players to show their quality.
• Late chances: Racing had two clear opportunities in the final ten minutes, but Alavés’s goalkeeper pulled off a fine double save to preserve the draw.

Standout players

Racing’s central playmaker impressed with his range of passing, while the young left-back who came on after halftime created several dangerous overlaps. For Alavés, the veteran central midfielder gave a masterclass in game management, and their new center-forward showed good link-up play, though he lacked a clinical edge in front of goal.

What it means

For Racing Santander, this friendly represents another step in building momentum before the competitive season gets underway. Alavés will take confidence from a solid away performance, especially given the strength of their squad rotation. Preseason results are often a poor guide, but the level of fitness and tactical discipline shown suggests both teams are on the right track.