Real Madrid secured a vital 2-1 victory over Alaves at the Mendizorrotza Stadium to ease pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso and cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
Madrid made a bright start and were rewarded when Kylian Mbappe, returning to the side, opened the scoring with a composed finish to give the visitors early control. However, Alaves responded with determination and grew into the contest, matching Real’s intensity and pushing the title challengers deep into their own half.
The hosts were eventually rewarded for their persistence when they found an equaliser, capitalising on a rare defensive lapse to level the match and raise tension among the travelling supporters.
With speculation swirling around Alonso following a difficult run of form, Real Madrid showed resilience in the closing stages. Rodrygo struck the decisive goal in the 76th minute, finishing clinically to restore Madrid’s lead and silence the home crowd.
The closing moments were marked by controversy after appeals for a late penalty involving Vinicius Junior were waved away, drawing protests from the Real bench. Despite the dispute, Madrid held firm to secure all three points.
The win lifts Real Madrid to 39 points, keeping them firmly in the title race behind leaders Barcelona, while Alaves drop to mid-table after a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful performance.
