Rodrygo scored his first LaLiga goal since January, helping a lackluster Real Madrid secure a 2-1 victory over Alavés. However, the team’s performance is unlikely to relieve any pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 24th minute, but Madrid struggled to maintain control, allowing Carlos Vicente to equalize in the 68th minute.
Earlier in the week, Rodrygo had celebrated in front of Alonso during the team’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City as a show of support. In the 76th minute of this match, he again came through for his coach with the decisive goal.
Prior to the match, reports in Spain suggested that failing to secure all three points could cost Alonso his job. The way Madrid labored to clinch a win against a team merely three points clear of the relegation zone raised further doubts about their performance.
Mbappé returned to action after missing the City loss due to injury, but he appeared to be in discomfort early on, complaining of knee pain.
Despite this, he almost scored twice in the first 10 minutes, first with a shot that narrowly missed the target and then with another that went just over the bar.
Rodrygo wasted another opportunity by pulling a shot wide in the 12th minute, but Madrid was unable to maintain their initial pressure as their intensity waned.
They eventually took the lead in the 24th minute, with Mbappé scoring his 70th goal for Madrid. Rodrygo intercepted the ball and passed it to Jude Bellingham, who set up Mbappé for the finish.
The visitors thought they had doubled their lead shortly afterward, but Bellingham was penalized for handball before scoring from a corner.
The first half concluded unconvincingly, with Thibaut Courtois executing an unconventional save to deny Pablo Ibáñez, whose shot struck him square in the face.
Madrid looked to extend their lead early in the second half, but Antonio Sivera made a commendable double save, first denying Mbappé and then preventing Vinícius Júnior from capitalizing on the rebound.
Once again, Madrid’s pressure faded, and Alavés equalized in the 69th minute when Vicente skillfully controlled a through ball before beating Courtois, with the goal surviving a VAR check for offside.
Raúl Asencio then made a crucial late challenge to prevent Lucas Boyé from getting a clear shot as Madrid faced increased pressure. However, they regained the lead in the 76th minute.
Vinícius outpaced Jonny on the left and delivered a low cross for Rodrygo, who finally ended his lengthy league goal drought.
Unfortunately, this marked Rodrygo’s last significant contribution, as he soon left the field in pain.
Madrid appealed for a penalty in the 86th minute when Vinícius fell in the box after a challenge from Nahuel Tenaglia, but their claims were dismissed and upheld after a VAR review. In stoppage time, Brahim Díaz then fired into the side-netting.