Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves in Sunday’s La Liga clash at Mendizorrotza Stadium, keeping their title hopes alive despite a turbulent match marred by red cards and missed opportunities. Eduardo Camavinga’s sublime first-half strike proved decisive, but the spotlight shifted to Kylian Mbappé’s shocking dismissal, leaving fans and pundits buzzing.
Camavinga’s Redemption and Mbappé’s Misstep
After a week to forget, with defeats to Valencia in La Liga and Arsenal in the Champions League, Real Madrid needed a morale boost. Eduardo Camavinga delivered just that in the 34th minute, curling a spectacular shot into the corner from outside the box. The French midfielder, who has faced criticism for inconsistent performances this season, silenced his doubters with his match-winning contribution.
However, just four minutes later, chaos ensued. Kylian Mbappé received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Antonio Blanco. Initially shown a yellow card, the decision was upgraded after VAR intervention.
The incident shocked fans as Mbappé, not known for violent conduct, let frustration boil over after enduring repeated fouls throughout the match. Assistant coach Davide Ancelotti defended the star post-match: “Kylian is not a violent person. He apologized immediately and understands his mistake. The constant fouls against him pushed him to react poorly.”
Second Half Drama: Alaves Fights Back
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Real Madrid held firm against relegation-threatened Alaves. The hosts dominated possession and created several chances in the second half but failed to capitalize. Their hopes of exploiting their numerical advantage were dashed in the 70th minute when Manu Sanchez was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Vinicius Junior, leveling the playing field.
Real Madrid’s defense, led by Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois, absorbed relentless pressure from Alaves’ attackers. Courtois made crucial saves to preserve the lead while Rudiger marshaled the backline with authority.
Key Stats and Insights
- Eduardo Camavinga: Man of the Match with one goal, six successful dribbles, three tackles, and 34 completed passes.
- Possession: Alaves dominated with 58%, highlighting their control in midfield.
- Shots on Target: Alaves managed five compared to Real Madrid’s three, underscoring their attacking intent.
The victory moves Real Madrid to 66 points—four behind leaders Barcelona—while Alaves remains precariously close to relegation in 17th place.
What’s Next?
With Sunday’s win boosting morale, Real Madrid faces an uphill battle in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Los Blancos will need a monumental performance to overturn the deficit.
As for Alaves, their focus shifts to escaping relegation as they prepare for a crucial clash against Leganés next weekend.
This gritty performance showcased Real Madrid’s resilience under pressure but also raised questions about discipline and composure. Can they channel this fighting spirit into their European campaign? Only time will tell.
