Matt Miazga earned a second straight start on Tuesday since returning from Covid-19 for Alavés. It was a match he’ll want to forget, committing a shocking mistake to gift Real Betis a goal. The only bright side was Alavés conceded three other goals in a 4-0 defeat, including two beauties I must label Puskás worthy lest I be called out if one actually wins the honor in a year’s time.
After a much-touted move to Chelsea six years ago, Miazga has been a forgotten figure in Europe. Though he’s picked up 22 USMNT caps, including two in 2021, the 26-year-old has made just two Premier League appearances. After playing 33 times for Anderlecht last season, Miazga’s 2021-22 has been up and down, starting six of seven at the start of the LaLiga campaign before missing nine of the next 10 matches, including three while out with Covid.
Miazga went the full 90 on Jan. 9 in a 0-0 draw with Athletic Club and was again in the starting lineup against Real Betis on Tuesday. He’ll wish he hadn’t been named to the 18 after the day he had.
Borja Iglesias headed Betis into the lead inside 11 minutes before Sergio Canales made it 2-0 with a stunning strike. With no Alavés player — Miazga included — stepping up to stop his run, Canales was able to take his time to pick out the top corner to finish a move he started from near midfield.
Sergio Canales with a beauty for Real Betis pic.twitter.com/OsvOpCrepO
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) January 18, 2022
Alavés found itself trailing 3-0 at the break when Miazga committed a dreadful howler. With no teammates ahead of him to pass to, the American attempted a no-look pass back to his keeper, totally unaware Iglesias was lurking to take full advantage of the gift.
Matt Miazga Howler vs Real Betis
Oof.
Something tells me Miazga won’t be called in by Gregg Berhalter to play in the USMNT’s World Cup qualifiers later this month.
But Betis wasn’t done. Juanmi completely Alavés’ humiliation in the 54th minute, getting in behind a negligent defense before elaborately chipping Fernando Pacheco with a goal as beautiful as it was insulting.
Tuesday’s defeat left Alavés in the relegation zone through 20 matches. One point from safety, there’s still much to play for, but Miazga might not get many more chances after his display against Real Betis.
I think a lot of Concacaf fans were hoping Miazga would get to go head-to-head (or at least head-to-chest) with Mexico rival Diego Lainez, but the young winger only came off the Betis bench for the final seven minutes, preventing a repeat of their 2018 spat.
