Late goals dominate the first Saturday of 2025

La Liga action returned to full power this weekend with the first Saturday of 2025 featuring four games.

Late goals were the theme as Girona beat Alavés after 90 minutes and Real Valladolid sealed a home victory over Real Betis.

Here’s how Saturday’s action unfolded…

Alavés 0-1 Girona

Basque Country fans were forced to wait until the closing stages to enjoy some excitement as Girona return to Catalonia with three points.

The VAR overturned a penalty appeal for Alavés in a discreet first half and the hosts seemed more likely to achieve victory later.

However, the visitors were ruthless with their only shot on goal, as the substitute Juan Solis He scored his first goal in La Liga.

🗣️ Jhon Solís:

❝The team has fought hard to get the three points and we have finally achieved it.❞

❝This month of January is very complicated, but also very beautiful. We will fight with pride and ambition to win as many games as possible.❞#AlavésGirona pic.twitter.com/BmItY3eaaG

—Girona FC (@GironaFC) January 11, 2025

Real Valladolid 1-0 Real Betis

Basement team Real Valladolid made an expected positive start to 2025 with a home win over Real Betis.

new boss Diego Coca He tasted victory for the first time in Spanish football as a veteran Kike Perez He scored just his second league goal of the campaign after the break.

🎯💜 Go ahead @kikitoo17 Alabama @realvalladolid!#LALIGAEASPORTS | #LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/qP5lFwLsJ8

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) January 11, 2025

A start-to-finish first half failed to really catch fire after the restart as the hosts dug in and secured successive home wins either side of the winter break.

Espanyol 1-1 Leganes

Espanyol’s home clash against Leganés broke Saturday’s pattern of late goals, as That of Leandro Cabrera. The goal within the first 90 seconds was disallowed. Seydouba Cissé equalizer.

A draw does little to help either team’s hopes of easing their relegation fears in 2025, with Espanyol remaining in the bottom three and Leganés just three points above the relegation zone.

END #EspanyolLeganés 1-1

🟰 Distribution of points between @RCDEspanyol and @CDLeganes in #LALIGAEASPORTS! pic.twitter.com/xLljPG636g

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) January 11, 2025

Sevilla 1-1 Valencia

However, the biggest late drama was provided by Sevilla, who scored the equalizer in the 94th minute to break Valencia hearts in Andalusia.

Carlos Corberan He was seconds away from achieving his first victory as Los Che coach but will have to settle for a single point on the return trip to Valencia.

A poor first half came to life when Luis Rioja He crashed home with an instinctive effort on the hour mark.

However, the home side refused to sneak in as substitutes. Adrian Pedrosa stayed calm to get a late equalizer.

❤️ The @SevillaFC NEVER GIVE UP.

💥 Match the Adrià Pedrosa match in the discount!#LALIGAHighlights | #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/QISzgyeYNR

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) January 11, 2025

Images via Getty Images