Eduardo Camavinga scored the only goal of the match as Real Madrid recorded a 1-0 victory over Alaves in Sunday afternoon's La Liga contest at Mendizorrotza Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe was handed a straight red card in the latter stages of the first half for a poor challenge on Antonio Blanco, but Alaves were also reduced to 10 men in the second half when Manu Sanchez challenged Vinicius Junior.
As it transpired, Camavinga's first-half curler proved to be enough for Los Blancos to secure all three points, with Carlo Ancelotti's side managing to bounce back from successive defeats.
The result has moved Real Madrid onto 66 points in the La Liga table, four points behind division leaders Barcelona, while Alaves remain 17th, one point ahead of 18th-placed Las Palmas in the battle to remain in the division.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Mbappe's moment of madness in the latter stages of the first period almost cost Real Madrid, and it would have been incredibly damaging if Ancelotti's side had not picked up all three points here.
Barcelona managed to move seven points clear at the summit on Saturday night, and anything less than a Real Madrid victory in this contest would have left the Catalan team very comfortable at the top of the division.
Camavinga has faced a lot of criticism for his performances this season, but the midfielder came up with the game's decisive moment when he curled into the corner in the 34th minute.
Alaves would later lose a player of their own to a red card, and Real Madrid survived some late pressure to claim a vital three points, which has certainly kept the La Liga title race alive.
Sunday's clash was all about securing the victory, and the team's attention will now switch to next week and a gigantic Champions League quarter-final second leg against Premier League outfit Arsenal.
ALAVES VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
34th min: Alaves 0-1 Real Madrid (Eduardo Camavinga)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 34th minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Camavinga, as the midfielder curls one into the corner from outside the penalty box; it is a wonderful effort from the Frenchman.
38th min: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) red card
Incredible scenes, as Mbappe is given a straight red card for a poor challenge on Alaves midfielder Blanco; the referee consults the monitor following advice from the VAR, and the Frenchman is given his marching orders.
70th min: Manu Sanchez (Alaves) red card
Alaves are reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute of the match, as Sanchez is handed a straight red card for a poor challenge on Vinicius; the home side no longer have a man advantage here.
MAN OF THE MATCH - EDUARDO CAMAVINGA
© Imago
Camavinga has faced a lot of criticism for his recent form, but this was an excellent afternoon for the France international, who proved to be the best player on the pitch in the La Liga contest.
The midfielder's excellent first-half goal decided the match, but it was his overall performance that impressed the most, having completed six dribbles, made three tackles and completed 34 of his 41 passes.
ALAVES VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Alaves 56%-44% Real Madrid
Shots: Alaves 13-11 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Alaves 6-4 Real Madrid
Corners: Alaves 4-4 Real Madrid
Fouls: Alaves 21-12 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
50 - Real Madrid's Fede Valverde is the player in Tip 5 European leagues who has made the most appearances this season in all competitions (50) and started the most matches (47, like Tielemans and Dalot). Figure. pic.twitter.com/gRoQrxpwbe
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 13, 2025
🟥 | Mbappé sees red!
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) April 13, 2025
Kylian Mbappé has just received his first red card in just under six years, having last been sent off on 27 April 2019 in a Coupe de France match against Rennes.
Interestingly, each of the four sendings off in his career have been straight reds. 😳 pic.twitter.com/QnkNHkRyzL
2 - Kylian Mbappé is the second @realmadrid forward to receive a red card in the first half of a LaLiga match in the entire 21st Century, after Ruud van Nistelrooij vs Atlético de Madrid in 2008. New. pic.twitter.com/o6htWkF8ug
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 13, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Real Madrid's attention will now switch back to the Champions League, as they prepare to welcome Arsenal to Bernabeu on Wednesday night for the second leg of their quarter-final; Los Blancos have serious work to do in the tie, having lost the first leg 3-0 in London.
Alaves, meanwhile, will continue their battle against the drop when they head to Estadio Ramon in La Liga next Sunday to tackle Sevilla.
Matt Law
