Substitute Aitor Mañas scored his first goal for the Alavés first team in the 89th minute against Málaga at Mendizorroza. The 1-1 draw left Málaga still searching for a first win and Alavés without a victory in six matches.
Málaga were a minute from victory in Vitoria on Friday night. Then an Alavés substitute intervened.
The visitors went in front just before the break. Ramón Enríquez supplied the assist for Niño, who has now scored in three league matches in a row. That takes his Primera División total to four goals.
Málaga coach Juanfran Funes played a single striker in Vitoria. He picked Niño because of the forward's excellent form.
Alavés controlled the game with 63% possession. They also won 7 corners to Málaga's 2.
Yet clear chances were scarce. Quique Sánchez Flores sent on Toni Martínez for Mariano Díaz in the 66th minute because his side were struggling to create clear openings, according to Noticias de Álava.
The decisive change came later. Mañas played 15 minutes and had 2 shots. His equaliser came when he put away a loose ball inside the area. He finished with the highest rating on the pitch, at 8.15.
The point ended a run of two straight defeats for Alavés, against Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo.
The 2026-27 season is Málaga's first in the top flight after eight years away.
Funes took encouragement from the display. He described the first half as his side's best of the season and the match as their best away performance of the campaign. He added that a first win felt close.
The figures in Vitoria were more mixed. Málaga completed 385 accurate passes to Alavés' 367, but managed only 3 shots on target. At the other end, Alfonso Herrero made 3 saves, and 6 Alavés efforts were blocked.
Referee Carlos Muñiz Muñoz showed four yellow cards. Lucas Boyé and Nahuel Tenaglia were booked for Alavés. Carlos Dotor was booked for Málaga, as was coach Juanfran Funes.
Málaga's October fixtures also include a Copa del Rey tie against Sporting Alcázar. Their next league game is a trip to Real Betis. It is the season's first Andalusian derby and means facing their former player Isco.
Alavés head away to Barcelona in the league. Before that, they play Anaitasuna FT away in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday 28 October. The return league meeting between Málaga and Alavés is listed for Sunday 31 January 2027.
Mañas rescata un punto en 'Mendi' (Noticias de Álava)
Calendario Deportivo Alavés (Deportivo Alavés)
Calendar and Upcoming Matches of the Deportivo Alavés (LaLiga)
Real Betis-Málaga, Saturday 31 October at 18:30 (Málaga CF)
