Rodrygo saves Alonso but Madrid still look in trouble

Three points, no comfort

Real Madrid claimed a 2–1 win away at Alavés, but the performance did little to ease the growing pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso. Rodrygo’s first LaLiga goal since January proved decisive, yet Madrid once again struggled to control a match against a side hovering just above the relegation zone.

Bright start fades quickly

Madrid began with intent and Kylian Mbappé, returning from injury, looked sharp despite early concerns over his knee. The France forward went close twice inside the opening ten minutes, while Rodrygo also wasted an early chance as Madrid threatened to overwhelm their hosts.

That momentum did not last. The visitors’ intensity dropped and Alavés slowly worked their way back into the game, exposing Madrid’s ongoing issues in midfield control and defensive structure.

Mbappé delivers, doubts remain

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute and it was Mbappé who delivered, scoring his 70th goal for the club. Rodrygo won the ball high up the pitch and Jude Bellingham slipped Mbappé through to finish calmly.

Madrid briefly thought they had doubled their lead, but Bellingham’s effort was ruled out for handball. From there, the first half drifted, with Thibaut Courtois forced into an awkward save to deny Pablo Ibáñez before the interval.

Alavés punish Madrid again

The pattern continued after the restart. Madrid created moments without sustaining pressure and were punished in the 69th minute when Carlos Vicente showed composure to beat Courtois and level the match, a goal that survived a VAR check for offside.

Alavés sensed vulnerability and pushed for more, forcing Raúl Asencio into a crucial intervention to deny Lucas Boyé as Madrid wobbled under pressure.

Rodrygo steps up for his coach

With tension rising, Rodrygo once again came to Alonso’s rescue. In the 76th minute, Vinícius Júnior burst down the left and delivered a low cross that Rodrygo converted to finally end his long league goal drought.

The winger’s night ended shortly after with an injury, but his goal secured three vital points. Madrid saw out the closing stages despite late penalty appeals being waved away, leaving them with a win that answered little about their deeper problems.