Real Madrid Secures Vital La Liga Win Against Alaves Amid Alonso Pressure

Real Madrid beats Alaves 2-1 in La Liga with goals from Mbappe and Rodrygo, easing pressure on Xabi Alonso. 

Getty images 

Real Madrid beats Alaves 2-1 in La Liga with goals from Mbappe and Rodrygo, easing pressure on Xabi Alonso. Key moments, standings update, and preview for next Sevilla match.

Real Madrid claimed a crucial 2-1 victory over Alaves in La Liga on December 14, 2025, easing mounting pressure on manager Xabi Alonso after recent setbacks. The win at Estadio de Mendizorroza narrowed the gap to league leaders Barcelona to four points, providing a timely boost for the reigning champions.

Match Highlights and Key Moments

The game started with Real Madrid taking control early, as Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 24th minute. He latched onto a precise pass from Jude Bellingham and rifled a shot into the top corner, marking his 17th La Liga goal this season and his 70th overall since arriving in 2024. Alaves fought back strongly in the second half, with substitute Carlos Vicente equalizing just a minute after coming on in the 68th minute, expertly controlling Antonio Blanco's lofted ball before beating Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid regained the lead shortly after, in the 76th minute, when Rodrygo made a sharp run into the box and converted a close-range pass from Vinicius Junior. The hard-earned away win, in front of 19,290 fans, showcased resilience despite Alaves' spirited performance at home.

Alonso's Relief and Real Madrid's Form Context

Xabi Alonso faced intense scrutiny following consecutive losses to Celta Vigo and Manchester City, with another defeat potentially threatening his position at just 44 years old. Real Madrid had led the table by five points after defeating Barcelona in late October's El Clasico, but draws against Elche and Rayo Vallecano allowed Hansi Flick's Barcelona to surge ahead. This result halts the slide and sets up a key home clash with Sevilla next weekend.

Mbappe's clinical finishing continues to anchor Real's attack, while Bellingham and Vinicius provided creative sparks. Rodrygo's composure under pressure proved decisive, highlighting the squad's depth even amid a challenging run.