Real Madrid's Late Thriller vs. Alavés: A Lifeline for Alonso
In a crucial match for Xabi Alonso's managerial career, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Alavés, breathing life into their La Liga title hopes.
After a disappointing run, the pressure was on the Spanish giants to perform at Mendizorroza Stadium. Alonso, under scrutiny, needed a win to prove his managerial prowess. Kylian Mbappé, back from injury, opened the scoring, but Real Madrid's defensive lapses allowed Carlos Vicente to equalize in the second half.
With the game on the line, Rodrygo's decisive goal in the 76th minute, assisted by Vinicius Junior, sealed the win. Despite trailing Barcelona by four points, Real Madrid's return to form brings hope.
Player Ratings:
- Thibaut Courtois: 7.2 - A calm and composed performance, facing minimal threats.
- Federico Valverde: 7.7 - Created chances with his pace and right foot, though struggled to connect with Rodrygo.
- Raúl Asencio: 7.3 - Kept Lucas Boyé in check, delivering a consistent performance.
- Antonio Rüdiger: 7.2 - Burned on the equalizer, but maintained focus.
- Víctor Valdepeñas: 7.4 - Defensive solidity in his debut, but hesitant in attack.
- Rodrygo: 8.1 - Vital in the late stages, scoring his first league goal since January.
- Arda Güler: 7.2 - Provided expert service, finding his rhythm with Bellingham.
- Aurélien Tchouaméni: 6.9 - Well-timed challenges, also filling in as a center-back.
- Jude Bellingham: 8.5 - Vision and passing prowess, tracking back tirelessly.
- Kylian Mbappé: 8.1 - Threatening every touch, he hadn't missed a step post-injury.
- Vinicius Junior: 7.0 - Relatively quiet, but his late brilliance set up the winner.
Substitutes:
- Gonzalo García: 6.0
- Dean Huijsen: 6.3
- Brahim Díaz: N/A
- Franco Mastantuono: N/A
Alavés, playing a 4-1-4-1 formation, struggled to contain Real Madrid's attacks, with a 52% possession rate and fewer shots on target. The match statistics highlighted Real Madrid's dominance, with higher expected goals and pass accuracy.
The game's turning point came when Jude Bellingham's early goal was disallowed for handball. Alonso's team then took control, with Mbappé's threat and Bellingham's vision proving decisive. Alavés' equalizer by Carlos Vicente was a result of a defensive lapse, and Vinicius Junior's late goal sealed the win.
Despite the win, Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes remain uncertain, but Alonso's team spirit and late-game heroics offer a glimmer of hope.
