Real Madrid claimed a vital 2-1 La Liga victory away to Deportivo Alvares, grinding out three points at the Mendizorroza Stadium in a match that tested their character as much as their quality. Against an energetic home side backed by a fierce atmosphere, Los Blancos showed resilience of the league leaders and ease the pressure surrounding head coach Xavi Alonso.
The visitors began with intent, pushing high and looking to assert control despite the notoriously demanding nature of trips to Victoria. Early chances fell to Kylian Mbappe, who looked sharp despite recent fitness concerns, but accuracy initially deserved him. Alvares, for their part, defended compactly and sought to disrupt Madrid’s rhythm through intensity and direct translation.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half and came courtesy of individual brilliance. Jude Bellingham slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the left channel, releasing Mbappe at pace. The French forward drove at the retreating defense before curling a sublime strike into the top corner, a goal that briefly quietened the home crowd and underlined his decisive influence.
Madrid thought they had doubled their advantage soon after, only for a Bellingham effort to be ruled out for handball. That reprieve emboldened Alvares, who finished the half strongly and went close on the stroke of the interval, forcing Thibaut Courtois into an instinctive save from close range.
The second half followed a similar pattern: Madrid creating chances but failing to kill the game, and Alvares growing in belief. Antonio Sivera produced an excellent double save to deny Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, and those missed opportunities proved costly. In the 68th minute, substitute Carlos Vicente timed his run perfectly to latch onto a long pass and fire home the equalizer, sending Mendizorroza into raptures.
Faced with the prospect of another damaging setback, Madrid responded with urgency. The decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Vinicius Jr. burst down the left flank, using his pace and power to beat his marker before delivering a low cross into the box. Rodrygo arrived at the perfect moment to prod the ball home, restoring Madrid’s lead and ultimately sealing the contest.
Alvares pushed for a late response, but Madrid managed the closing stages with greater composure, preserving a crucial away win. While the performance was not flawless, the result was invaluable. For Real Madrid, this victory keeps their title hopes alive and reinforces belief during a challenging period. For Alvares, despite defeat, the display once again showed their capacity to compete fiercely against Span’s elite on home soil.
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