Real Madrid Secures Victory Over Alaves in Nail-Biter

With only a couple of teams having successfully visited Estadio Mendizorrotza this season, Alonso and his squad were hopeful for an early goal to alleviate pressure. However, Kylian Mbappe failed to hit the target during his two attempts in the opening eight minutes.

A Breakthrough Moment

It wasn’t until the middle of the first half that Mbappe found the back of the net after receiving a well-timed pass from Jude Bellingham. The French forward skillfully maneuvered inward from the left side and delivered a curled shot that left goalkeeper Antonio Sivera with no chance.

Missed Opportunities and Close Calls

Los Blancos appeared to be on the verge of scoring their second shortly afterward when Bellingham managed to net from a corner, but a handball ruling nullified the effort. In the final quarter of the first half, Alaves gained significant possession and territory but couldn’t test the Madrid defense until the dying moments. A miscleared free-kick allowed Pablo Ibanez a chance close to goal, yet Thibaut Courtois blocked his effort with his face, allowing Real Madrid to lead at halftime—marking their first time ahead in an Alaves match this season.

Strong Second Half Start

As the second half commenced, Madrid was in a favorable position, having won all 10 of their league matches in which they scored first this season. Federico Valverde soon shot just wide of the goal, shortly before Sivera made a remarkable double save against attempts from both Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Midway through the second half, Alaves stunned the visitors with an unexpected equalizer. A long ball found Carlos Vicente, who skillfully placed his finish beyond the reach of Courtois. Initially flagged for offside, VAR confirmed the goal, leaving Real Madrid on edge as Rodrygo shot a free-kick over the bar.

Regaining the Lead

Despite the setback, Rodrygo showcased his talent shortly after. Following an impressive run by Vinicius Junior on the left wing, he sent a low cross for Rodrygo to tap in, reclaiming the lead for Los Merengues.

Final Minutes and Match Summary

Vinicius Junior had a penalty shout turned down, and though Bellingham and Brahim Díaz sought to add to the scoreline, no additional chances emerged for Alaves. Consequently, Real Madrid achieved a crucial win, extending their unbeaten streak in away matches to six games, while Alaves fell to another defeat in their successive meetings against the giants.

Player of the Match

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Match Statistics

• Final Score: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Alaves
• Goals:
  • Mbappe (25′)
  • Vicente (65′)
  • Rodrygo (70′)

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