Alaves vs Eibar

Sivera's save in the 90th minute to deny Lumbreras kept Alavés level, but his impact in the penalty shootout proved decisive. The goalkeeper saved two of Eibar's four spot-kicks as Alavés converted all four of theirs to secure the trophy. The result itself carries little weight in pre-season, but the manner of Alavés's second-half response — and Sivera's confidence from 12 yards — offered positive signals.

• Mariano Díaz (Alavés) — Scored the equaliser, hit the post, struck the crossbar, and was the game's most dangerous player after the restart. A constant threat.
• Antonio Sivera (Alavés) — Two penalty saves in the shootout plus a vital late stop from Lumbreras. The difference between defeat and victory.
• Joseba Bermejo (Eibar) — Kept his side in the game during the first half with a sharp save early on and was composed throughout. One of the positives for Aranbarri.
• Jon Bautista (Eibar) — Took his goal well from distance and led the line effectively in the first half before being substituted at the break.

Player of the Match: Antonio Sivera (Alavés)

Alavés enjoyed the bulk of possession and created the clearer chances, particularly in the second half when Mariano alone could have scored three. Eibar's 28% possession (per the match data) reflected a first-half plan built on pressing and transition rather than control — Bautista's goal came from exactly that template. The 1-1 draw undersells Alavés's dominance in terms of shot volume, but pre-season friendlies are about process, not scorelines. Both managers will have seen what they needed: Aranbarri's pressing structure works in bursts, and Quique's second-half XI showed the kind of attacking fluidity he wants from his 4-4-2 system.

Alavés begin their La Liga campaign in mid-August with a trophy in the cabinet, however symbolic. Quique confirmed afterwards that the club's long-term plan is to shift from a back-three system to a 4-4-2 — a transition visible in how the second-half XI set up.

For Eibar, Aranbarri's first test produced a competitive 90 minutes against top-flight opposition. The 4-2-3-1 shape with aggressive pressing was evident, particularly in the first half. Eibar's next friendly is against Athletic Club on 25 July at Gazituaga, Zamudio.

Alavés continue their pre-season with a fixture against Girona before the La Liga season starts. The club also confirmed the sale of midfielder Daouda Doumbia to NK Istra on the same day as this match.

A textbook pre-season friendly: two different XIs per half, a tactical experiment each way, and a penalty shootout to decide a trophy that matters more for momentum than memory. Alavés's second-half intensity was the standout takeaway, while Eibar's first-half pressing offered early evidence of Aranbarri's identity.