Real Madrid secured a narrow 3-2 victory against Alaves in a La Liga match at home, but the outcome raised concerns for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. The match began optimistically for Madrid, with Rodrygo scoring just after the halftime break to extend their lead to 3-0. However, the game took a troubling turn as Alaves struck back with two late goals due to defensive lapses from Madrid.
Prior to kickoff, the atmosphere was upbeat, highlighted by an image of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe enjoying each other’s company in the tunnel. Lucas Vazquez opened the scoring just 54 seconds into the match, and the crowd erupted for Vinicius Jr when the line-up was revealed. The Brazilian has been pivotal for Madrid this season, contributing to nine goals across all competitions, making him a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The second goal showcased a brilliant interplay between Jude Bellingham and Mbappe, culminating in Mbappe’s finish after a lengthy 26-pass sequence, marking the longest goal build-up for La Liga this season. With his seventh goal in nine matches for the club, Mbappe’s performance has been key to Madrid’s attacking prowess.
Despite leading comfortably, Madrid’s situation deteriorated after Ancelotti made substitutions in the 80th minute. Although he checked on Mbappe, who had requested to be substituted to avoid injury, there are concerns he may have sustained a thigh injury and will undergo tests that may complicate his availability for the upcoming derby against Atletico Madrid.
After the substitutions, the dynamic shifted significantly. Within minutes, Alaves capitalized on defensive errors, with Carlos Benavidez and Kike Garcia scoring to bring the contest to a tense conclusion. Coaching staff acknowledged they had not managed the changes effectively, which altered the game’s momentum.
The match ended with controversy surrounding officiating decisions, particularly regarding yellow cards, as Madrid received four for dissent out of seven fouls committed, while Alaves escaped sanction for ten fouls. This sparked frustration among players and led to confrontations with the officials post-game.
With the significant derby against Atletico on the horizon, Madrid’s focus has shifted to Mbappe’s condition and ensuring lessons are learned from their late-game collapse. The team recognizes the need to maintain composure in future matches to avoid costly errors.