Deportivo Alavés 23-3 Real Sociedad Player Ratings: La Real Snatch Dramatic Comeback Win

Real Sociedad and Deportivo Alavés served up a Copa del Rey classic at the Estadio de Mendizorroza, a tie that swung wildly from start to finish and kept everyone on the edge of their seats. In the end, it was La Real who edged a breathless 3–2 victory, but the scoreline only tells part of the story of a night packed with drama, tension, and emotional twists.

This was a contest shaped by momentum and mentality. Alavés came flying out of the blocks, taking an early lead and later restoring it from the penalty spot, twice putting themselves in a position where victory felt within touching distance.

They even earned another spot-kick that could have put the tie beyond doubt, only for football to bare its cruel side.

The defining moment arrived when Álex Remiro produced a sensational penalty save, a stop that completely flipped the script. That intervention injected belief into a Real Sociedad side that had looked on the ropes.

With renewed energy, they pushed forward with more motivation. Gonçalo Guedes, a constant threat throughout, dragged his side back into the contest before a substitute stepped off the bench to deliver the decisive blow.

It was a night that showcased Real Sociedad’s resilience and refusal to accept defeat, sealing a memorable cup win that will be talked about for a long time.

Let’s take a look at Sportsdunia’s Real Sociedad vs Deportivo Alavés player ratings from this unforgettable Copa del Rey encounter.

Key Takeaways

• Alavés twice took the lead and had chances to kill the tie, but couldn’t capitalise.
• Álex Remiro’s crucial penalty save completely shifted belief and control toward Real Sociedad.
• Sociedad showed mentality and depth, fighting back before a decisive impact from the bench sealed a memorable cup win.

Deportivo Alavés Player Ratings vs Real Sociedad

Here's a look at the Deportivo Alavés Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Raúl Fernández - 5.5: A tough night for the keeper. He made a couple of decent saves, including a sharp stop from a close-range header. However, conceding three goals at home is never ideal. From our perspective, he couldn't be faulted for the clinical finishes, but he wasn't able to produce a game-changing moment like his opposite number.

Defenders

Nahuel Tenaglia - 5.0: A difficult outing for the right-back. He looked vulnerable defensively and was dribbled past on one occasion. He lost possession far too many times, which invited pressure. A performance he will want to forget quickly.

Jon Pacheco - 6.0: He was busy, making a handful of clearances. However, the defence as a unit looked disorganized, especially in the second half. He held his own for periods but was ultimately part of a backline that crumbled under pressure.

Victor Parada - 5.5: Similar to his defensive partners, he had moments of solidity mixed with lapses in concentration. He managed six clearances but also looked shaky when La Real turned up the heat. He lost possession too often for a central defender.

Jonny Otto - 6.5: One of the brighter sparks in the Alavés backline. What stood out to us was his desire to get forward, and he did brilliantly to win the first penalty. He was combative, drawing three fouls, but also committed a few of his own. A decent, hard-working display.

Midfielders

Denis Suárez - 6.0: A very busy performance, but not always an effective one. He recovered the ball eight times, which is impressive. However, he also lost it 15 times and was dispossessed on three occasions, which killed his team's momentum.

Ander Guevara - 6.0: The captain fought hard in the middle of the park, winning a good number of his tackles. But he was also dribbled past twice and picked up a yellow card. It felt like he was overwhelmed by Sociedad's midfield in the latter stages of the game.

Abde Rebbach - 7.0: Scored a fantastic opening goal with a strike from outside the box. He was a constant nuisance in the first half, but his influence waned significantly as the game wore on. He worked hard but was ultimately part of a team that couldn't see the game out.

Calebe - 6.5: He looked tidy and creative during his time on the pitch. He drew a few fouls and showed some nice touches to link up play. From our perspective, his substitution seemed to disrupt Alavés's rhythm a bit.

Forwards

Toni Martínez - 6.0: The absolute protagonist of a Greek tragedy for Alavés. He showed immense composure to score the first penalty and put his team ahead. Then, presented with a golden opportunity to make it 3-1 from the spot, he was denied. That miss was the game's defining moment, a classic hero-to-zero story arc.

Aitor Mañas - 7.0: We were really impressed by this lad. He was a livewire, creating two chances and getting an assist. He won an incredible nine out of eleven duels, showing a real desire to fight for every ball. A very promising performance.

Substitutes

Pablo Ibáñez - 5.5: Came on and gave away a few fouls, picking up a late yellow card. Didn't really impact the game positively.

Lucas Boyé - 5.5: Brought on to offer a different threat but ended up getting booked and struggling to get involved.

Ángel Pérez - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Carles Aleñá - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Jon Guridi - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

E. Coudet - 5.5: His team started with great intensity and a clear game plan. They deserved their lead. However, he failed to react when the tide turned. His side looked fragile and unable to manage the game after the saved penalty, ultimately collapsing to defeat.

Real Sociedad Player Ratings vs Deportivo Alavés

Let's take a deeper look at the Real Sociedad Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Álex Remiro - 8.5: The hero of the hour for La Real. Conceding two goals doesn't tell the story. His penalty save from Toni Martínez was simply magnificent and completely changed the complexion of the match. That single moment of brilliance was worth its weight in gold and inspired the comeback.

Defenders

Jon Aramburu - 7.0: A really solid performance before he was substituted. He was excellent in the duel, winning 10 of his 12 battles, and his passing was crisp and accurate. He provided a good outlet on the right flank.

Duje Caleta-Car - 5.0: A bizarre performance. He gave away a penalty with a clumsy challenge, which could have cost his team dearly. On the other hand, he won a staggering eight aerial duels and made 13 clearances. A defensive liability and a rock at the same time, a very strange game from him.

Jon Martín - 5.5: The young defender looked a little overwhelmed at times. He was dribbled past twice and struggled in his duels. While he made several important clearances and interceptions, he looked like the weak link in the backline.

Aihen Muñoz - 5.0: A night to forget for Muñoz. He picked up a silly yellow card and struggled to contain the Alavés attack down his side. He was poor in his duels and eventually substituted. Not his best day at the office.

Midfielders

Beñat Turrientes - 6.5: Another player with a redemption arc. He gave away the first penalty with a foolish tackle and got a yellow card. But then he popped up with a perfectly weighted through ball to assist the crucial second equalizer. He battled hard, winning 12 duels, but the early error really soured his performance.

Carlos Soler - 5.5: A very quiet and ineffective display from Soler. He struggled to impose himself on the game and was largely anonymous before being hooked just before the hour mark. He lost the ball cheaply and offered little creativity.

Brais Méndez - 6.0: A frustrating performance. He created a couple of chances and hit the woodwork, showing his quality in flashes. However, what stood out to us was how often he lost possession, a staggering 20 times. It was a high-risk, mixed-reward kind of game from him.

Sergio Gómez - 7.0: A tidy and reliable performance. He didn't do anything spectacular, but he kept the ball moving, was solid in the tackle, and provided a sense of calm in a chaotic midfield. A proper team player's display.

Forwards

Mikel Oyarzabal - 8.0: The captain led by example. He scored the vital first equalizer with a composed finish. He was a constant threat, creating two chances and working tirelessly for the team. A true captain's knock when his team needed it most.

Gonçalo Guedes - 9.0: Our Man of the Match, without a doubt. An absolutely scintillating performance. He provided the assist for the first goal and scored the brilliant second equalizer himself. He was direct, dangerous, and full of confidence. Every time he touched the ball, it felt like something was about to happen. A match-winning display.

Substitutes

Orri Óskarsson - 8.0: What an impact! Came off the bench and scored the winning goal with a cool finish on the counter-attack. You can't ask for more from a substitute. He changed the game and won the tie for his team.

Álvaro Odriozola - 6.5: Came on and provided more stability on the right side than Aramburu had.

Luka Sucic - 6.5: Offered more control and forward thrust than the man he replaced, Soler.

Daniel Díaz - 6.0: Did his job adequately after coming on for the struggling Muñoz.

Igor Zubeldia - N/A: Brought on late to see out the game.

Manager

P. Matarazzo - 8.0: His team showed incredible heart and character to come from behind twice. His substitutions were spot on, especially the introduction of Orri Óskarsson, who scored the winner. He deserves immense credit for masterminding this dramatic turnaround.

Man of the Match

Gonçalo Guedes of Real Sociedad was Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

Duje Caleta-Car had a very poor game, conceding a penalty which nearly cost his team.