Álvaro Valles wins LaLiga Save of the Month for September and extends his clean-sheet record

Álvaro Valles has been named the winner of LaLiga's Save of the Month award for September, receiving the honour for a decisive intervention in Real Betis' 2-1 away win against Villarreal. The Sevilla-born goalkeeper denied the hosts in a moment that could have changed the course of a match Betis eventually turned around.

• Valles won the award for a save against Santi Comesaña in the 10th minute, with the score still goalless.
• His intervention pushed the ball onto the post and prevented Villarreal from taking a 1-0 lead.
• Betis came from behind to win with goals from Cucho Hernández and Natan.
• The goalkeeper has kept clean sheets in four of his seven league appearances this season.
• No other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues has kept more clean sheets than Valles so far this campaign.

The save that won the award and kept Betis alive at La Cerámica

The moment that earned Álvaro Valles the recognition came early in the contest, in the 10th minute of the match at La Cerámica. With the score still level, Santi Comesaña connected with a point-blank effort that looked destined to beat the Andalusian goalkeeper. Valles, however, made himself big between the posts, stretched just enough and diverted the ball until it came back off the woodwork.

That stop prevented Villarreal from opening the scoring at a time when the home side were pushing hard. With the game still goalless, Betis were able to stay in the contest and later turned it around through goals from Cucho Hernández and Natan. It was one of those saves that, without adding to the scorer's chart, is worth its weight in points over the course of a season.

The wall behind Pellegrini's Real Betis

The award is not an isolated achievement, but a reflection of the level the La Rinconada-born goalkeeper has shown since the first matchday. Valles has established himself as one of the main guarantees in Manuel Pellegrini's project, providing a sense of security that has allowed the team to compete in demanding fixtures without losing their defensive shape.

Valles has kept a clean sheet in four of the seven league matches he has played this season, a record not matched by any other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues.

Betis currently sit third in LaLiga with 16 points, firmly placed among the leading positions in the table. Much of the credit for that start belongs to the defensive unit, where the Andalusian goalkeeper has emerged as the anchor that allows the team to grow with confidence from the back. His one-on-one ability and command of the penalty area have turned him into a safety net for his teammates.

An award that confirms his best form

LaLiga's recognition for the best save of September shines a light on a goalkeeper who has earned his starting spot and responded with top-level displays to the trust placed in him by his coach. Valles' consistency is nothing new: his development in recent seasons has been steadily upward, and this campaign he has taken another step to establish himself among the most reliable goalkeepers in the competition.

Against Villarreal, Betis claimed a valuable win away from home. The match showed that Pellegrini's side know how to suffer when required and take their chances when they arrive. Valles was the first to keep the team in the game, and then Cucho Hernández's finishing and Natan's late contribution completed the job as the Andalusians returned to Seville with all three points.

Valles and Betis focused on the top of the table

After seven matchdays, Real Betis have shown that their bid to fight for European places is a serious one. The defensive solidity, with Valles as the last line, has allowed them to face games with a strong foundation to build on. The goalkeeper's saves do more than add clean sheets to the record: they lift the team out of difficult moments.

The next challenge for Pellegrini's men will be to maintain the momentum with which they have started the campaign. With a demanding fixture list ahead, Valles' role in goal looks set to be decisive. For now, his numbers and individual awards place him at the centre of the conversation in Spain's top flight.

Frequently asked questions about Álvaro Valles and his form at Betis