Rodrygo Goes ended his 32-game goal drought to secure a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid against a resilient Alavés at Mendizorroza. Xabi Alonso's side, hampered by nine absences, prevailed with goals from Kylian Mbappé and the Brazilian, staying four points behind Barcelona. The win eases pressure on the Basque coach in an intense match.
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid secured a vital 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorroza, in a match defined by intensity and the team's absences. With nine players out, seven from defense including all three left-backs, Alonso debuted academy product Víctor Valdepeñas in that role, who held firm against attacks from Calebe and Ibáñez.
The game started with Madrid dominance. For the first time, Alonso started his four star attackers: Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé, alongside Arda Güler and Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield. After a Rodrygo steal, Bellingham threaded a pass to Mbappé, who finished clinically near the top corner for 1-0, his 26th goal of the season, following recovery from an injury that sidelined him against City.
Alavés, under Eduardo Coudet, responded and equalized in the second half through Carlos Vicente, confirmed by VAR after a ball over Antonio Blanco. Toni Martínez missed the 2-1 shortly after. But Vinícius, ineffective until then, beat Otto, crossed, and Rodrygo volleyed in the 2-1 winner, reviving his scoring streak in the last two games.
Courtois made a miraculous save on Ibáñez in the first half to deny the equalizer. Bellingham nearly made it three at the end. Exhausted, Madrid stays in the race, four points behind Barcelona, giving Alonso breathing room in a project on the brink.
