Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 2–1 victory over Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu, though it didn’t end as comfortably as it once looked.
It was a fairly controlled start from Madrid, and the breakthrough came in the 31st minute. Kylian Mbappe tried his luck from distance, and with a slight deflection, the ball slipped past the goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead.
After the break, Vinícius Junior made it two in the 52nd minute. The Brazilian got on the end of a quick move and kept it simple, finishing low to put Madrid in what should have been a comfortable position.
For long stretches, Madrid had control of the game and didn’t look under real pressure. Still, they never quite put it beyond reach.
That came back to haunt them late on.
In stoppage time, 90+3 minutes, Toni Martinez pulled one back for Alaves, and suddenly the closing moments got a bit tense. Madrid had to see it out the hard way.
In the end, the result is what matters most, especially with the title race still tight. But it’s another game where Madrid showed quality going forward and just a bit of uncertainty at the back. Not a poor outing, but not one that fully convinces either.