Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés: Win Ends Drought but Late Goal Sparks Concern

Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés: Win Ends Drought but Late Goal Sparks Concern
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Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe fights for the ball with Alaves' Spanish midfielder #08 Antonio Blanco and Alaves' Spanish midfielder #07 Angel Perez during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP via Getty Images)

Real Madrid returned to winning ways in Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés with a 2-1 result at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, ending a four-game winless run in La Liga. Kylian Mbappé scored in the 30th minute, and Vinícius Júnior added a second early in the second half.

A late goal from Martínez in stoppage time forced a tense finish, but Real Madrid held on for three points. The result moves Madrid to 73 points after 32 matches, cutting the gap to leaders FC Barcelona to six with six games remaining in the title race.


Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés: Control Without a Third Goal

Real Madrid started strongly against Deportivo Alavés and controlled possession from the opening minutes. The home side pressed high and forced Alavés into their own half. The Bernabéu crowd of 61,468 saw Madrid create early chances.

The breakthrough came in the 30th minute. Mbappé made a timed run onto a through ball and finished with composure. The goal reflected Madrid’s control during the first half.

Madrid continued to create chances and dominated the flow of the game. The match saw 42 shots in total, with Madrid accounting for most of them. However, they did not add a second goal before the break.

Early in the second half, Vinícius Júnior extended the lead. He moved in from the left, beat his marker, and placed a low shot into the far corner. The goal made it 2-0 and gave Madrid control of the match.


Late Goal Changes the Ending

For most of the second half, Madrid managed the tempo and limited Alavés chances. The defense stayed organized, and the midfield kept possession.

However, the game shifted late. In stoppage time, Martínez scored in the 90+3rd minute. His shot reduced the deficit and forced Madrid to defend in the final moments. The late goal made the ending of Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés more tense than expected.

Madrid still held on for the win, ending their recent run without a victory.

The result keeps Madrid in the title race with six games left. Alavés remain 17th on 33 points and continue their fight against relegation.


Real Madrid’s La Liga Title Chances After the Win

After Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alavés, the La Liga title race remains open but difficult. Real Madrid sits on 73 points after 32 matches, while Barcelona leads with 79 points. Both teams have six games left, which means Madrid can reach a maximum of 91 points if they win all remaining matches.

For Madrid to have a real chance, they must win all six games. At the same time, Barcelona must drop points. If Barcelona collects more than 12 points from their final six matches, they will stay out of reach. That means at least two slip-ups are needed from the leaders.

The challenge is clear. Barcelona have been the most consistent team this season, while Madrid recently went four games without a win before this result. Even in this match, Madrid showed control but failed to finish chances early.

There is also pressure on the squad. The attack remains strong through Mbappé and Vinícius, but the late goal conceded showed some defensive issues. With a demanding schedule ahead, consistency will be key.

In simple terms, Madrid needs a perfect run and help from Barcelona. The gap is not impossible, but time is running out.

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Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés: Win Ends Drought but Late Goal Sparks Concern

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