Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Deportivo Alaves in a La Liga match that looked like a straightforward win but turned into a tense affair in the closing moments. The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed an exciting and dramatic finish as Madrid, leading comfortably by three goals, nearly allowed Alaves to stage a late comeback.
Early Domination by Real Madrid
From the opening whistle, Real Madrid showed their intent. Just seconds into the match, Vinicius Junior displayed his usual flair and speed by cutting through the Alaves defense. The Brazilian winger drove into the box and delivered a perfect cut-back to Lucas Vázquez, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
The early goal set the tone for a dominant first-half performance from Los Blancos. Kylian Mbappé, one of Madrid’s key players, thought he had doubled the lead after finishing off a brilliant team move. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, keeping the score at 1-0. Despite the disallowed goal, it was clear that Madrid were in control of the game, creating chances and maintaining possession.
On the stroke of halftime, Mbappé finally got on the scoresheet. After exchanging a quick one-two pass with Jude Bellingham, Mbappé found himself in a great position and fired the ball into the back of the net. His cool finish made it 2-0 to Real Madrid, and the French forward continued to show why he’s considered one of the best players in the world. Heading into the break, Madrid looked comfortable, with Alaves struggling to make an impact.
Rodrygo Extends the Lead
The second half began with the same intensity from Madrid. Just minutes after the restart, Rodrygo picked up the ball deep in Alaves’ half and began a surging run towards goal. The Brazilian winger danced past defenders and unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle, sending the ball across the face of the goal and into the far corner. His stunning strike put Madrid 3-0 up and seemingly on course for an easy victory.
Rodrygo’s goal highlighted the attacking threat that Real Madrid possessed, with the young forward becoming an increasingly important player for the team. Madrid continued to press for more goals, with Endrick, a promising young substitute, coming close to adding a fourth when his shot deflected off the post.
At 3-0, Madrid were in complete control of the match, and it appeared as though the game was headed for a routine conclusion. The home fans were enjoying the spectacle, and the players were managing the game efficiently, ensuring that Alaves had little room to maneuver.
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Late Alaves Surge Creates Drama
However, the match took an unexpected turn in the final stages. With just five minutes remaining, Alaves found a way back into the game. Carlos Protesoni unleashed a magnificent long-range strike that flew past Thibaut Courtois, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. The goal seemed to rejuvenate Alaves, who suddenly began to play with more urgency and belief.
Just two minutes after Protesoni’s goal, Kike Garcia got in behind the Madrid defense and calmly finished past Courtois to make it 3-2. In the blink of an eye, what seemed like a straightforward win for Real Madrid had turned into a tense and nervy affair.
The Bernabéu crowd, which had been enjoying the match up to that point, suddenly grew restless as Alaves pushed for an equalizer. Tomas Conechny came close to leveling the game in stoppage time, but his header went just wide of the post, much to the relief of Madrid’s defense.
Madrid Holds On for Victory
Despite Alaves’ late onslaught, Real Madrid managed to hold on for the win, securing all three points in a game that had become much closer than expected. The final whistle blew with the score at 3-2, and Madrid could finally breathe a sigh of relief. While they were dominant for much of the match, the closing minutes served as a reminder that in football, no lead is entirely safe.
Real Madrid’s ability to withstand the late pressure showcased their resilience, but the late goals conceded will be a cause for concern for coach Carlo Ancelotti. The defensive lapses in the final minutes almost cost Madrid valuable points, and the team will need to address this issue as they look ahead to future matches.
Key Performances
- Vinicius Junior: The Brazilian winger was instrumental in Madrid’s early dominance, setting up the first goal with a perfectly timed assist and causing problems for the Alaves defense throughout the match.
- Kylian Mbappé: Mbappé’s influence on the game was undeniable. His goal before halftime gave Madrid a commanding lead, and his partnership with Bellingham in the build-up play was a highlight of the game.
⚪️✨ Kylian Mbappé scores again for Real Madrid making it 7 goals in all competitions so far…
…assist provided by Jude Bellingham. pic.twitter.com/F9g7EOqzDI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 24, 2024
- Rodrygo: The young Brazilian’s solo goal in the second half was a moment of individual brilliance that put Madrid in a comfortable position, even though the match later became tighter than expected.
- Carlos Protesoni & Kike Garcia: Both players were crucial in Alaves’ late resurgence. Protesoni’s long-range strike and Garcia’s clinical finish nearly turned the match on its head.
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
While the victory keeps Madrid in a strong position in La Liga, Ancelotti will be keen to address the defensive lapses that allowed Alaves back into the game. With tougher challenges ahead in both domestic and European competitions, Madrid will need to tighten up at the back to avoid similar scares in the future.
For Alaves, despite the loss, their late comeback demonstrated that they have the fighting spirit to challenge stronger teams. They will take positives from their performance in the closing stages and aim to build on this resilience in their upcoming fixtures.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Deportivo Alaves was a thrilling contest that showcased both the brilliance and the vulnerabilities of the reigning La Liga champions. While Madrid’s attacking trio of Vinicius, Mbappé, and Rodrygo provided moments of magic, their defensive frailties in the final minutes nearly allowed Alaves to steal a point.
