Mbappe and Rodrygo Rescue Madrid as Alaves Fall Narrowly at Mendizorroza

Real Madrid walked into Estadio de Mendizorroza under pressure, winless in five league matches and with scrutiny mounting on the bench. From the opening stages, however, there was a renewed sense of urgency in their play as they dominated possession and pinned Alaves deep in their own half.

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute through sheer quality. Jude Bellingham spotted Mbappe’s run down the left and threaded a perfectly weighted pass into his path. The French forward cut inside Tenaglia with ease before bending a sublime effort from the edge of the box into the top corner, leaving Sivera with no chance. It was Mbappe’s 17th league goal of the season and a reminder of his importance when Madrid need inspiration.

Madrid thought they had doubled their lead soon after when Bellingham fired home from a corner, but celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for handball. Despite controlling the contest, Los Blancos were nearly punished before the break, with Courtois producing a brave face save to deny Ibanez from close range in stoppage time.

The visitors carried their momentum into the second half, carving out several clear openings. Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both went close, only to be denied by a series of sharp saves from Sivera. Madrid’s failure to kill off the game would soon come back to haunt them.

Against the run of play, Alaves struck in the 68th minute through substitute Carlos Vicente. Seconds after coming on, Vicente latched onto a long pass from Antonio Blanco, brought the ball down expertly and unleashed a fierce strike from distance that flew into the top corner. The initial offside flag was overturned by VAR, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Alaves briefly sensed a famous upset and nearly turned the match on its head moments later, but Lucas Boye squandered a glorious chance when he poked wide from inside the box. That miss proved costly.

With pressure building once more, Madrid found the decisive moment in the 76th minute. Vinicius Junior powered past his marker on the left and drilled a low ball across the six yard area, where Rodrygo arrived to guide a composed finish into the bottom corner. It was a goal that visibly lifted the tension from the visiting bench.

The closing stages saw Madrid manage the game professionally, repelling late Alaves pressure and creating chances of their own to extend the lead. Mbappe and Bellingham both forced saves, while Alaves frustrations grew as time ran out.

The victory ends Real Madrid’s five game league winless run and keeps them second in the table, four points behind leaders Barcelona. For Alaves, the defeat leaves them 12th, encouraged by their competitiveness but left wondering what might have been.

Madrid now turn their attention to the Copa del Rey before a crucial league clash against Sevilla, while Alaves prepare for their own cup assignment hoping to quickly move past this narrow setback.