Real Madrid got back to winning ways on Tuesday night as Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior found the net in a 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The result ended a frustrating four-game winless run for Madrid and kept them within six points of league leaders FC Barcelona, who were set to face Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
Still reeling from their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal exit to Bayern Munich, Carlo Ancelotti’s side delivered a mixed performance.
They started sluggishly, allowing Alavés to create early chances, which drew frustration from sections of the Bernabéu crowd.
Mbappé eventually broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, his effort taking a deflection that wrong-footed goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.
The goal ended the French forward’s league drought stretching back to February and took his tally to 24 for the season.
Vinícius doubled the advantage shortly after the restart, unleashing a powerful long-range strike in the 50th minute to mark his first goal in seven appearances for club and country.
Despite appearing in control, Madrid failed to keep a clean sheet as Toni Martínez pulled one back for the visitors deep into stoppage time, ensuring a tense finish and prompting some late jeers from the home supporters.
Alavés, who remain just above the relegation zone, showed resilience but were unable to overturn the deficit, having managed only one win in their last nine league outings.
Madrid were also dealt a minor concern before halftime when defender Éder Militão was forced off with an injury, though initial reports suggested it was not serious.
