Real Madrid eased the mounting pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso with a hard-fought 2-1 LaLiga victory away to Alaves, as goals from Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo secured a vital three points.
Trailing league leaders Barcelona by seven points going into Sunday’s clash and having won just twice in their previous seven outings, Los Blancos arrived at the Estadio de Mendizorroza under scrutiny.
They responded with an early show of intent and broke the deadlock in the 24th minute through Mbappe.
The French forward collected a pass from Jude Bellingham down the left, drove at the retreating Alaves defence and curled a superb strike into the top-right corner.
Madrid pushed for a second soon after, but Bellingham saw his effort chalked off for handball after bringing down Arda Guler’s cross.
Federico Valverde went close shortly after the restart, while Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera produced an outstanding double save to deny both Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
The hosts stunned Madrid in the 68th minute when substitute Carlos Vicente struck just 43 seconds after coming on, racing onto Antonio Blanco’s through ball and firing into the top corner.
However, Madrid regained control late on. Vinicius Junior burst down the left flank in the 76th minute and delivered a low cross that Rodrygo converted to restore the visitors’ lead and seal the win.
Madrid’s Brazilian duo once again proved decisive. Vinicius has now assisted Rodrygo 11 times across all competitions — more than twice as many as any other teammate.
Mbappe’s opener also underlined his ball-carrying threat, marking his seventh goal this season following a direct run, the highest tally of its kind among all players.
Although Alaves slightly edged the expected goals battle (1.36 to Madrid’s 1.24), Real were more clinical and finished the contest with a 13–6 advantage in shots, ensuring Alonso’s side left with a crucial victory in the title race.
