Racing Santander came from behind to beat Alavés 2-1, with Zabiri scoring twice as the visitors missed the chance to move provisionally top.
Racing Santander come from behind to beat Alaves as Zabiri scores twice
Racing Santander produced an impressive comeback to beat Alavés 2-1 and collect their second victory of the season, with Moroccan forward Zabiri scoring twice after the visitors had taken an early lead. Alavés arrived knowing that a win would have moved them provisionally clear at the top of the table, but instead left empty-handed after allowing Racing to turn the match around either side of half-time.
The visitors made the stronger start and were rewarded in the 18th minute through Finland international Ville Koski, who put Alavés in front and briefly placed them on course for a result that would have taken them above Barcelona in the standings. The early goal gave Alavés control of the scoreline, but Racing gradually responded and found their equaliser before the break.
Zabiri, the former Famalicão player, made it 1-1 in the 38th minute, ensuring that the hosts went into half-time level after recovering from the early setback. Racing then carried that momentum into the second half and completed the turnaround only eight minutes after the restart, with Zabiri finding the net again in the 53rd minute to score his second of the match.
The Moroccan forward was therefore the decisive figure in the contest. His first goal stopped Alavés from taking their advantage into the interval, while the second completely changed the position of the match and left the visitors needing to chase the game for the first time.
Zabiri turns the match around for Racing
Racing response after falling behind was one of the most important aspects of the victory. Conceding in the opening 20 minutes could have allowed Alavés to manage the match from a position of strength, particularly given what was at stake in the standings, but the hosts refused to allow the early goal to define the contest.
Zabiri equaliser arrived seven minutes before half-time and changed the mood around the game. Instead of heading into the dressing room protecting a lead, Alavés were suddenly back on level terms and had to reset for the second half.
Racing then struck quickly after the restart. Zabiri second goal in the 53rd minute meant Alavés had gone from leading 1-0 to trailing 2-1 in the space of 15 minutes of playing time, placing the pressure firmly back on the visitors.
The former Famalicão attacker therefore provided Racing with exactly the type of individual contribution that can decide a tightly balanced league match. Two goals at decisive moments were enough to overturn the early disadvantage and give the home side a result that significantly improves their position in the table.
Alaves miss chance to go provisionally top
For Alavés, the defeat was particularly frustrating because of the opportunity that was available before kick-off. A victory would have moved them provisionally to the top of the table, but the loss leaves them second with 10 points.
They remain level with Sevilla and two points behind leaders Barcelona, who do not play until Sunday. That means the race at the top remains extremely tight, but Alavés have missed the opportunity to put pressure on Barcelona before the leaders return to action.
The defeat also leaves Alavés vulnerable to being overtaken by some of the clubs immediately behind them. José Mourinho Real Madrid are one of those sides, sitting fourth with nine points before their match against Rayo Vallecano.
With only small gaps separating the leading teams, every dropped point can have an immediate effect on the table. Alavés arrived with the possibility of finishing the day in first place but now have to watch the results of their direct rivals while remaining on 10 points.
Koski opener not enough for the visitors
Ville Koski goal in the 18th minute had given Alavés the start they wanted. Taking the lead away from home allowed the visitors to play with the scoreboard in their favour and put Racing under early pressure.
At that stage, the match appeared to be moving in the right direction for Alavés. A second goal could have given them a strong platform, but Racing stayed in the contest and gradually worked their way back into it.
The equaliser shortly before half-time proved particularly damaging because it removed much of the advantage created by Koski early strike. Instead of entering the second half with the chance to protect the lead, Alavés had to begin again from level terms.
Zabiri second goal then forced them into a completely different type of match, where they had to find an equaliser rather than simply manage an existing advantage. They were unable to respond, and the early promise created by Koski goal ultimately went unrewarded.
André Almeida sees red late on
Portuguese midfielder André Almeida was introduced for Racing Santander in the 65th minute, entering with his team already leading 2-1. His task was to help the hosts manage the final phase of the game and protect the advantage created by Zabiri.
His appearance, however, ended early. Almeida was shown a straight red card in the 89th minute, leaving Racing with 10 men for the closing stages.
The dismissal created one final complication for the home side at a moment when they were close to securing the victory. Racing were forced to see out the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage, but Alavés were unable to take advantage.
The red card did not change the final result, although it will still be an unwanted consequence of an otherwise positive afternoon for Racing. The hosts were able to protect the 2-1 lead and confirm a second league victory.
Racing climb to eighth after second win
The three points move Racing Santander onto seven and into eighth place, giving them a solid early position in the standings. Their second victory of the campaign was particularly valuable because it came against a side competing near the top of the table.
The manner of the win should also provide confidence. Racing were required to respond after conceding first, showed enough patience to reach half-time level and then completed the turnaround shortly after the restart.
Beating Alavés after falling behind demonstrates that the team can recover from difficult situations rather than allowing an early setback to become decisive. Zabiri contribution was central, but the result also required Racing to protect their advantage once they had moved in front.
That became even more important after Almeida red card, when the hosts had to finish the match with 10 men. Holding on under those circumstances added another layer to a victory that moves Racing into the top half of the early table.
Top of the table remains tightly contested
The result also has implications beyond the two clubs directly involved. Barcelona remain top with 12 points and do not play until Sunday, while Alavés and Sevilla are both on 10.
Real Madrid, coached by José Mourinho, are only one point behind Alavés on nine and have the opportunity to move above them depending on the outcome of their match against Rayo Vallecano.
With the leading positions separated by such narrow margins, Alavés missed a valuable chance to temporarily take control of the standings. Their early goal suggested that opportunity might be seized, but Racing comeback changed the picture entirely.
The early weeks of the season are already showing how quickly positions can change. A team can move from challenging for first place to being overtaken by several rivals within a single round, and Alavés now face exactly that possibility.
Racing make home advantage count
For Racing, the victory represents an important step in building momentum. Seven points and eighth place provide a positive platform, particularly after defeating a side that entered the game with ambitions of going top.
The hosts were not discouraged by Koski opener and showed enough composure to remain competitive until their opportunities arrived. Zabiri first goal brought them back into the contest and his second gave them something to defend for the remainder of the afternoon.
From that point, Racing task became one of control rather than recovery. They were forced to deal with pressure from an Alavés side chasing an equaliser, and the late dismissal of Almeida made the final moments even more demanding.
Despite that, they held firm and ensured that Zabiri two goals were enough to secure all three points.
Alaves must respond after missed opportunity
Alavés will now have to recover quickly from a defeat that carries extra disappointment because of the league position they could have reached. They remain very much among the leading teams, but their inability to protect the early advantage in Santander means they no longer control the immediate picture at the top.
The key moment was the period around half-time. Alavés were leading until the 38th minute, but Zabiri first goal changed the balance of the match before the interval. His second in the 53rd then completed a turnaround that the visitors never managed to reverse.
The defeat does not undo their strong start, and 10 points still leave them second, but the opportunity to move provisionally above Barcelona has gone. With Real Madrid and other rivals close behind, Alavés will now be watching the rest of the weekend results carefully.
Zabiri delivers decisive performance
For Racing, the story of the match belongs to Zabiri. The Moroccan forward, formerly of Famalicão, scored both goals and transformed a match that had initially appeared to be moving towards an Alavés victory.
His first strike restored equality at exactly the right moment, shortly before the break, while the second gave Racing the lead early enough in the second half to force Alavés into a more aggressive approach.
Those two goals proved sufficient, even with the additional complication of Racing going down to 10 men in the final minute of normal time.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for Racing Santander, their second win of the season, and denied Alavés the chance to move to the top of the table. Racing rise to eighth with seven points, while Alavés stay second on 10 and now face the possibility of being overtaken by some of the teams chasing them before the round is complete.
