Deportivo Alavés secured a valuable 2-1 away victory against RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday, January 31st, 2026. This La Liga result was a significant boost for Alavés's campaign and a setback for Espanyol's hopes of climbing the table. The visitors started brightly and took a deserved lead before halftime with a headed goal from a corner. Espanyol fought back after the interval, equalizing through a penalty, but Alavés showed great character to retake the lead with a well-executed counter-attack just minutes later. The final stages were tense, with Espanyol applying heavy pressure, but the Alavés defense, led by their commanding goalkeeper, held firm to secure all three points. The match's key incident was the penalty decision, which appeared soft but was upheld after a brief VAR review. This win moved Alavés further away from the relegation zone, while Espanyol's inconsistent home form continued to be a problem. The Alavés coach praised his team's defensive organization and mentality, while the Espanyol manager rued his side's inability to convert possession into clear chances after leveling the score.