Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory against Alaves in La Liga, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo Goes. This win could potentially stabilize coach Xabi Alonso’s position following pressure from recent performances.
The result allowed Madrid to narrow the gap to league leaders Barcelona to four points, marking only their third win in the last nine matches across all competitions. Following a disappointing defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League, the pressure was mounting on Alonso, who needed a victory to mitigate speculations about his future.
Mbappe opened the scoring for Madrid in the 25th minute, exhibiting skillful determination as he drove towards goal and found the top right corner. Although Alaves responded with a second-half equalizer from Carlos Vicente, Rodrygo ensured that Madrid left with all three points by scoring shortly thereafter.
Reflecting on the match, Alonso emphasized the team’s competitive spirit, stating, “We came here to win and we got the three points.” He also noted the intensity of Alaves, acknowledging that it was challenging to maintain control throughout the game. Alonso reiterated his belief in the team’s unity, mentioning that one game isn’t enough to shift their momentum.
The return of key player Mbappe was significant, as he missed the previous match against City due to knee pain. His performance was instrumental, despite early signs of discomfort, and he created several scoring opportunities before netting his goal.
Alaves made efforts to level the match again, coming close to taking the lead when Vicente netted the equalizer after beating Madrid’s defense. However, it was Rodrygo, assisted by Vinicius Junior, who restored Madrid’s advantage, highlighting his resurgence in form with two goals in as many matches after a lengthy drought.
Alonso expressed dissatisfaction over a penalty appeal by Vinicius, who was brought down in the area, voicing surprise that the situation did not go to VAR for review. The match concluded with Madrid attempting to extend their lead as Bellingham nearly scored, but the pressure remained palpable throughout.
Meanwhile, in other La Liga news, Villarreal’s match against Levante was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, and Real Oviedo dismissed coach Luis Carrion following a heavy defeat. Barcelona continued their strong form with a victory over Osasuna, ensuring they maintained their lead in the league heading into the winter break.