Rodrygo scores winner as Real Madrid beat Alaves 2-1, giving Xabi Alonso breathing space

Rodrygo hit the winner as Real Madrid defeated Deportivo Alaves in a crucial 2-1 victory in La Liga on Sunday. This ended Los Blancos’ dismal form and kept them within four points of leaders Barcelona.

Madrid, under pressure after back-to-back defeats in all competitions, broke the deadlock with Kylian Mbappe’s stunning first-half strike.

However, a resilient Alaves leveled in the 68th minute through Carlos Vicente. The visiting team restored their lead eight minutes later thanks to a counter-attack led by Vinicius Jr., whose assist was converted by Rodrygo.

The win leaves Madrid second in the standings with 39 points, four behind Barcelona, ​​while Alaves is twelfth with 18 points.

The narrow win in the Basque Country gave manager Xabi Alonso some much-needed breathing space after a run of two wins for Madrid from their last eight games in all competitions.

Sunday’s victory showed Madrid’s resilience and persistent weaknesses. Despite taking a lead in the 24th minute through Mbappe’s spectacular strike, they were outplayed by an Alaves team cheered on by a sold-out Mendizorrotza Stadium.

Mbappé had opened the scoring in characteristic fashion after Jude Bellingham delivered a long pass to the French striker, who ran down the left channel before cutting inside and unleashing a bullet strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite Madrid’s early lead, Alaves became dominant as the first half progressed. The hosts put pressure on Madrid’s makeshift defense, with 19-year-old academy graduate Victor Valdepenas making his senior debut as a left back.

Alaves’ pressure was finally rewarded in the 68th minute when substitute Vicente, who had been introduced moments earlier, latched onto Antonio Blanco’s long ball and fired past Madrid’s high defensive line to finish into the top corner.

Initially ruled offside, Vicente’s goal was awarded after a VAR review confirmed the striker had timed his run perfectly.

Madrid’s winner came when Vinicius wrestled past a defender on the left flank before driving into the penalty area and delivering a low cross, finding Rodrygo, who slid in to steer the ball home from close range.

Published on December 15, 2025