Let’s be honest, this wasn't just another Sunday match for Real Madrid. The air around the club has been thick with tension, and all eyes were on manager Xabi Alonso. After a rough patch that saw them drop points in six of their last eight matches, this game against Alavés was being called a make-or-break moment. A loss could have very well spelled the end for the 44-year-old boss. But in a show of pure grit, his side dug deep to pull off a much-needed 2-1 victory at the Mendizorroza Stadium.
Key Highlights
- ✓ A dramatic 2-1 victory for Real Madrid over Alavés eased immense pressure on manager Xabi Alonso.
- ✓ Kylian Mbappé scored the opener in his return from injury, marking his 17th league goal of the season.
- ✓ Rodrygo netted the late winner in the 76th minute, his first LaLiga goal since January.
- ✓ The win closes the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just four points in the LaLiga table.
- ✓ Alonso praised his team's "unity," highlighted by a hug with VinÃcius Júnior after a period of scrutinized relations.
A Club on the Edge
It’s wild to think that back in October, after beating Barça in El Clasico, Real Madrid was sitting comfortably five points clear at the top. But football is a fickle game. A string of disappointing results, including draws against Elche and Rayo Vallecano, and a stinging loss to Celta Vigo on December 7, completely changed the narrative. That defeat, followed by a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League, reportedly had the Madrid board actively discussing alternatives to Alonso.
The pressure was immense. Doubts were swirling about Alonso's management of the squad, and the team looked like it was losing its way. They were slipping in the LaLiga title race, and something needed to give. Heading into the Alavés match, the stakes couldn't have been higher for both the club and its under-fire coach. It was a moment that required leadership, fight, and a little bit of magic.
The Match: A Tale of Three Goals
Madrid was fortunate to welcome back a recently recovered Kylian Mbappé, and he made his presence felt almost immediately. From the opening whistle, he looked like a man on a mission, firing off two dangerous shots within the first eight minutes. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute. Deep in his own half, Jude Bellingham played a perfectly weighted ball to find Mbappé's darting run. The French superstar drove towards the box and hammered home the opener, his 17th league goal of the campaign and his 70th for the club since joining in July 2024.
Despite the early goal, Madrid's play looked static at times. They controlled possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Alavés' low block. Then, just as it seemed Madrid was in control, disaster struck. In the 69th minute, a brilliant ball over the top caught the defense sleeping. Substitute Carlos Vicente, who had been on the pitch for just a minute, expertly controlled it and fired past Thibaut Courtois. Antonio Rüdiger was caught out, trailing helplessly as Alavés leveled the score.
You could see the despair on Alonso’s face. But just seven minutes later, that despair turned into pure celebration. VinÃcius Júnior, who had been relatively quiet, produced a moment of individual brilliance. He made a blistering run down the left flank, beat his man, and slid a perfect pass across the face of the goal to his fellow countryman, Rodrygo. The Brazilian calmly slotted it home for the winner, an emphatic end to his league goal drought that stretched back to January.
Standout Performances and Key Stats
While Rodrygo was the hero, it was Jude Bellingham who was the engine of the team. He was everywhere, earning the Player of the Match title with an 8.5 rating from FotMob for his vision and clinical passing. He was often forced to track back and cover for his teammates, showcasing his incredible work rate. Mbappé (8.1 rating) was a constant threat, and Rodrygo (8.1 rating) came alive when it mattered most.
The final stats tell a story of a tightly contested match. Alavés actually edged possession with 52%, but Real Madrid were more clinical with their chances. Los Blancos registered 13 total shots with 6 on target, compared to Alavés' 6 shots and 2 on target. The Expected Goals (xG) also favored Madrid, 1.86 to 1.36, suggesting their win was deserved, even if it was a nail-biter. It was also a big night for defender Victor Valdepeñas, who made his debut for the club.
A United Front?
Perhaps the most telling moment came after the final whistle. Alonso’s relationship with VinÃcius Júnior has been under the microscope, especially since the star’s angry reaction to being substituted in the Clásico back in October. But after the Brazilian was taken off late in this game, the two shared a hug—a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes. It seemed to back up what ESPN's Alejandro Moreno suggested: that the players are starting to get behind their manager.
Alonso himself addressed the recent criticism head-on in his post-match press conference. "The game against Celta wasn't a good game, we lacked a lot of things," he admitted. "Today there were a lot of positives and some things to improve. To keep winning games, we need to be consistent." This win provides a much-needed reprieve, but the road ahead is still long. With a Copa del Rey match against Talavera de la Reina and a big LaLiga clash against Sevilla before the Christmas break, the tests just keep coming.
Conclusion
The bottom line is this was more than just three points for Real Madrid. It was a statement. It was a gritty, hard-fought victory that showed the team still has the fight and character of champions. While it wasn't a flawless performance, it was exactly what Xabi Alonso and his squad needed to silence the critics, at least for now. They proved they could dig deep when their backs were against the wall, and that unity might just be their greatest strength as they continue to chase down Barcelona.
