Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior each scored as Real Madrid ended a four-match winless streak on Tuesday by beating Alaves 2-1 to move closer to Spanish leaders Barcelona.
The win at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium leaves Madrid six points behind Barcelona, who host sixth-placed Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
It was Madrid’s first match since being knocked out by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Madrid lost 2-1 at home and 3-4 in Germany in the second leg. The last two matches in the Spanish league were a 1-1 draw at home to Girona and a 2-1 defeat at Mallorca.
«We still have six games to go,» said Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa. «The goal is to win them all, no matter what happens. Every match counts.»
It was a slow start for Madrid on Tuesday and the crowd at the Bernabéu looked worried as Alaves had a few scoring opportunities early on. Some of the fans cheered as the team struggled. There was also some booing after the final whistle after Alavés scored late.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a shot that deflected off an Alaves defender and fooled goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. Mbappe, the league’s top scorer with 24 goals, had not found a single league match since February.
Vinícius extended Madrid’s lead with a long-range strike in the 50th. The Brazilian forward had not scored in his last six matches between club and country. He was one of the players who were jeered by some fans before and during the match. After scoring, he raised his hands in a gesture of apparent apology to the fans, and there was some applause from the stands to the player.
“Vinicius makes a huge effort and carries the team on his shoulders,” Arbeloa said. «We cannot deny his attitude. He never hides. He feels a deep bond with the club and I am happy when the fans reward him with applause.»
Eduardo Camavinga, who scored his 150th victory with Madrid, was also targeted by Madrid fans before and during the match.
Alaves, which sat one point above the relegation zone, came even closer with a goal from Toni Martínez in second-half stoppage time.
Alavés has won only one of his last nine league matches. The only win came at Celta Vigo in March.
Madrid and Brazilian defender Éder Militão had to be replaced just before half-time with an injury that Madrid said did not appear serious.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón saved a penalty and made a few more key stops to help ninth-place Athletic Bilbao hold on for a 1-0 win at home to mid-table Osasuna.
Mallorca drew 1-1 against Valencia.
Fifth-placed Real Betis won 3-2 at 11th-place Girona, with Rodrigo Riquelme scoring the winner in the 80th minute.
Published on April 22, 2026
