In a nail-biting La Liga encounter, Real Madrid secured a 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves despite facing a tough challenge with one less player. The match quickly turned dramatic when a reckless tackle by Kylian Mbappe left the visitors a man down early in the first half.
Eduardo Camavinga stepped up in the 34th minute with a brilliant curled shot from outside the box, giving Real Madrid a crucial lead. An earlier attempt by Raul Asencio had been disallowed after a VAR review, setting the stage for the decisive moment.
Mbappe's violent foul on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco proved pivotal, as his red card not only reduced the team to ten men but also shifted the momentum in favor of the visitors. The tension continued to mount when, in the second half, Alaves defender Manu Sanchez was also sent off for a similar foul on Vinicius Jr., leveling the field to a 10-vs-10 contest.
Despite recent struggles in both domestic and European competitions, Real Madrid displayed resilience and tactical sharpness to maintain their slender lead. The victory puts them just four points behind league leaders Barcelona, intensifying the race at the top of La Liga.
With the absence of suspended coach Carlo Ancelotti—who observed from the stands as his son Davide Ancelotti managed the side—Real Madrid’s performance was a blend of youthful vigor and strategic determination. The match underscored the unpredictable nature of the game and the impact of crucial decisions made under pressure.
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Ten-man Real Madrid overcome lowly Alaves 1-0 after Mbappe sees red
cgtn.com
