Real Madrid finally managed to steady their season, as they secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabéu, a result that not only ended their recent struggles but also kept their faint La Liga title hopes alive. Coming into the match, the atmosphere around the club had been tense and uncertain. A disappointing run of results had seen them crash out of the UEFA Champions League and drop important points in the league, leaving fans and pundits questioning the team’s form, confidence, and ability to compete under pressure. Against Alaves, however, Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed enough quality and determination to claim all three points, largely thanks to their star attacking duo, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

The victory pushed Real Madrid to 73 points on the league table, narrowing the gap to Barcelona, who remain at the top with 79 points and still have a game in hand. While the title race remains an uphill battle for Madrid, the result ensured that they are not mathematically out of contention with several matches still to play. It was a performance that mixed moments of brilliance with familiar signs of vulnerability, but in the end, the quality of their forwards made the difference.

The match began with Real Madrid clearly intent on asserting control early on, especially given the pressure surrounding the squad after a difficult few weeks. Kylian Mbappe, in particular, was under scrutiny heading into the game. The French forward had gone close to two months without finding the back of the net in La Liga, a surprising drought for a player of his calibre and reputation. His movement remained sharp and his influence on games was still evident, but the goals had not been coming, and questions were beginning to emerge about whether he was feeling the weight of expectations at the Bernabéu.

That narrative shifted in the 30th minute, although in slightly unconventional fashion. Mbappe picked up possession outside the penalty area after a flowing Madrid attack and decided to take on a low, driven effort toward goal. It was not a perfectly clean strike and did not initially look like it would trouble the goalkeeper, Antonio Sivera. However, fortune played its part as the shot took a significant deflection off Alaves defender Jonny Otto, completely wrong-footing the goalkeeper and sending the ball trickling into the bottom corner of the net. The Bernabéu erupted, not just for the goal itself but for the sense of relief that came with it. For Mbappe, it was an important moment, breaking his scoring drought and restoring confidence at a critical stage of the season.

From that point on, Madrid grew more comfortable in the match, dictating possession and controlling the rhythm of play. Alaves, while disciplined and organised defensively, found it difficult to maintain sustained pressure or create meaningful chances in the final third. The home side’s midfield structure allowed them to recycle possession effectively, while their full backs pushed forward to stretch the opposition defence. Despite their control, Madrid still needed a second goal to truly settle nerves, and it arrived early in the second half through another moment of individual brilliance.

Just five minutes after the restart, Vinicius Junior delivered the kind of explosive attacking play that has defined his development into one of the most dangerous wingers in European football. Receiving the ball in space, he drove forward with intent, cutting inside from the left flank and gliding past a defender before unleashing a precise, low finish into the far corner of the net. The strike left the goalkeeper with no chance and doubled Madrid’s advantage, giving them a 2-0 lead that, at the time, felt decisive.

That goal also highlighted the growing synergy between Vinicius and Mbappe, a partnership that Madrid fans had been eagerly anticipating since the Frenchman’s arrival. While both players operate in similar attacking spaces, they showed increasing signs of understanding, rotating positions and creating space for each other in dangerous areas. On this occasion, Vinicius took responsibility and delivered when it mattered most, reinforcing his status as one of the team’s key offensive leaders.

With a two-goal cushion, Madrid appeared to be in control, and for much of the second half, they managed the game without too much trouble. However, concerns lingered in certain phases of play, particularly in defence. The absence of sustained defensive stability has been a recurring issue throughout the season, and this match was no exception. Eder Militao, who started in central defence, had to be withdrawn just before halftime after experiencing discomfort, forcing Antonio Rudiger to come on as a replacement. His injury added to Madrid’s growing list of fitness concerns at a crucial point in the campaign.

Despite their dominance in possession, Madrid’s inability to fully close out games comfortably once again became apparent in the closing stages. Alaves, who had spent much of the match defending deep, began to push forward with more confidence as Madrid’s intensity dropped slightly. The visitors started to find pockets of space and gradually worked their way into more threatening positions.

Their persistence eventually paid off in stoppage time when Toni Martinez managed to pull a goal back for Alaves. The striker reacted quickest inside the box and finished well to reduce the deficit to 2-1, setting up a nervy finish at the Bernabéu. Although there was little time left for a full comeback, the goal exposed some of the defensive lapses that have occasionally troubled Madrid throughout the season, particularly in moments where concentration levels dip late in matches.

The final whistle eventually confirmed the victory for Real Madrid, but the reaction from the stands was mixed. While there was satisfaction at securing three important points, there was also awareness that the performance was far from flawless. The team had shown enough quality in attack to win the match, but questions remained about their defensive consistency and ability to manage games more comfortably when in control.

Looking at the broader picture, the result keeps Madrid mathematically in the title race, although the situation remains challenging. Barcelona continue to lead the table with 79 points and still hold a game in hand, meaning they have the opportunity to extend their advantage further. With only seven matches remaining in the season, Madrid face a difficult task if they are to mount a serious challenge. Historically, overcoming a deficit of this size at such a late stage in La Liga has proven extremely rare, but the victory over Alaves ensures that the pressure remains on the leaders, even if the odds are heavily stacked against them.

For Alaves, the defeat represents another setback in their battle to avoid relegation. They remain in 17th place, just a single point above the drop zone, with teams below them continuing to apply pressure. Despite their loss, there were moments in the match where they showed resilience, particularly in the closing stages when they refused to accept defeat quietly. However, their inability to convert earlier defensive discipline into attacking threat ultimately cost them.

As the season enters its final stretch, Real Madrid now turn their attention to a crucial run of fixtures that will define their campaign. Upcoming matches against Real Sociedad, Getafe, and Valencia will test their consistency and depth, especially as injuries and fatigue begin to play a larger role. Each game now carries added significance, with no margin for error if they hope to keep their title hopes alive.

In the end, the victory over Alaves was not a perfect performance, but it was a necessary one. It provided relief, restored some confidence, and reminded everyone of the attacking quality still present in the squad. For Mbappe, it was a long-awaited return to scoring form. For Vinicius, it was another statement of his importance. And for Real Madrid as a whole, it was a small but important step in trying to salvage a season that still hangs in the balance.

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