Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory against Alavés in their latest LaLiga match. The win, however, did little to ease tensions surrounding head coach Xabi Alonso after a challenging performance by the team.
Match Overview
- Date: Last match was played recently.
- Location: The game took place at Alavés’ home ground.
- Final Score: Real Madrid 2, Alavés 1
First Half Highlights
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Madrid with a goal in the 24th minute, marking his 70th goal for the club. Jude Bellingham assisted, feeding a pass to Mbappé after Rodrygo stole the ball.
- Mbappé had earlier made two attempts to score, showcasing his determination despite dealing with knee discomfort.
- Rodrygo and Bellingham both had chances but could not double the lead, leading to a lack of sustained pressure from Madrid.
- Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save to keep Alavés at bay before halftime.
Second Half Developments
After a sluggish start to the second half, Madrid faced renewed pressure from Alavés. Carlos Vicente managed to equalize in the 68th minute with a well-controlled shot that beat Courtois.
- Real Madrid regained the lead in the 76th minute thanks to Rodrygo’s goal, which ended his long drought in LaLiga.
- The assist came from Vinícius Júnior, who skillfully crossed the ball to Rodrygo.
Key Incidents
Despite some threatening moments for either side, Madrid narrowly held onto their lead. In the final minutes of the game, they sought a penalty when Vinícius fell in the box, but the referee dismissed the claim after review.
- Rodrygo’s performance was bittersweet as he was later forced off due to injury.
- Alavés remained close to relegation, only three points clear.
Conclusion
While Real Madrid snatched a crucial three points, questions linger regarding their performance under pressure. The lack of consistency in their play raises concerns for the squad as they aim to improve moving forward in the season.
