Xabi Alonso bought himself some breathing space as Real Madrid ground out a hard-earned 2-1 away win over Deportivo Alavés, securing just their third victory in nine competitive matches. The result came as a timely response after a difficult week for Los Blancos, while Alavés slipped to a fourth defeat in five LaLiga outings, Softfootball reports
Coming into the game on the back of a woeful run that included a damaging 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week, Madrid were desperate to show a reaction. Alonso had stressed before kick-off that we are in this together, calling on his players to respond as a unit amid growing scrutiny, and there were early signs of intent at Estadio Mendizorrotza.
With only two sides having won away at Alavés this season, Madrid knew the task would not be straightforward. Kylian Mbappé had two early sights of goal inside the opening eight minutes but failed to hit the target. However, the Frenchman made no mistake on his third attempt midway through the first half, latching onto Jude Bellingham’s perfectly weighted through ball before cutting inside from the left and curling a superb finish beyond Antonio Sivera.
Madrid thought they had doubled their advantage moments later when Bellingham turned home from a corner, but the goal was correctly ruled out for handball. That decision appeared to spark life into the hosts, who enjoyed more possession in the closing stages of the half.
Alavés came agonisingly close to levelling just before the break when a loose free-kick fell kindly to Pablo Ibáñez six yards out, but Thibaut Courtois somehow kept the ball out with his face, ensuring Madrid went into half-time ahead for the first time in an Alavés match this season.
The second half began with encouraging signs for Madrid, who had won all 10 previous league matches in which they scored first this term. Federico Valverde fired narrowly wide before Sivera produced an excellent double save to deny Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Those missed chances proved costly as Alavés struck back midway through the half, Carlos Vicente racing onto a long ball and calmly finishing past Courtois. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR confirmed Vicente had timed his run perfectly.
With frustration growing, Rodrygo curled a free-kick over the bar, but the Brazilian soon made amends. Vinícius Júnior used his pace to beat his marker down the left and squared for Rodrygo to tap home from close range, restoring Madrid’s lead at a crucial moment.
After Rodrygo’s goal, Real Madrid via its official X handle, shared the players celebration to the goal that would eventually win all 3 points for the los blancos. They posted:
Late penalty appeals for Vinícius were waved away, while Bellingham and Brahim Díaz both went close to sealing the game, but Alavés failed to mount a serious late push. Madrid held firm to claim a vital victory that extends their unbeaten away run to six matches, while the hosts suffered an eighth consecutive head-to-head defeat against Los Blancos.
After a difficult spell and a bruising Champions League loss to Manchester City, this was not a perfect performance, but it was a much-needed response and one that suggests Alonso’s message of unity may have landed when it mattered most.
