Mbappe, Rodrygo rescue Xabi Alonso’s job

The pressure on the entire Real Madrid squad — and on Xabi Alonso himself — had been growing steadily heading into this match.

Both the team and the coach certainly breathed a little easier after the opening goal scored by Mbappe.

However, when the hosts equalized, it likely sent a chill through the veins of every Real Madrid supporter, and especially the manager.

In the end, salvation arrived at the last moment through Rodrygo — a player who had been written off for some time — as he spared Real Madrid from disaster and Xabi Alonso from a potential dismissal.

Real Madrid took a narrow 1–0 lead into halftime against Alaves after an eventful first half at Mendizorroza, marked by early chances at both ends and a moment of brilliance from Kylian Mbappe.

Alaves threatened first in the 3rd minute when Rebbach found space on the left and fired a wildly off-target left-footed shot, though the move was halted shortly after as he was clearly offside.

Real Madrid responded quickly through Mbappe, who came close twice in quick succession.

In the 5th minute, the Frenchman struck from the edge of the box, his deflected effort rolling just wide of the post, before another attempt in the eighth minute saw his right-footed shot narrowly miss the target after a well-timed run into the area.

Rodrygo also went close in the 11th minute. A perfectly weighted through ball from Federico Valverde released the Brazilian, whose low, driven effort across goal drifted just wide, reminiscent of his recent chance against Manchester City.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute, and it was a stunning one. Marco Asensio regained possession, Jude Bellingham threaded a clever pass through the defense, and Mbappe burst forward.

The Frenchman cut inside the box and finished emphatically into the top corner, leaving Antonio Sivera helpless and giving Real Madrid the lead.

Real thought they had doubled their advantage three minutes later when Bellingham found the net, but the goal was disallowed after a handball in the buildup, a decision correctly spotted by referee Garcia Verdura without the need for VAR.

Alaves had another moment in the 30th minute when Parada attempted a cross-shot from the left, but it lacked conviction and drifted well wide.

Just before the break, the hosts came agonizingly close to equalizing. In stoppage time, Pablo Ibanez struck from point-blank range after reacting quickest to a loose ball, but Thibaut Courtois produced an outstanding reflex save with his face to preserve Real Madrid’s 1–0 lead at halftime.

Real Madrid started the second half on the front foot. In the 51st minute, Federico Valverde tried his luck from distance with a right-footed strike, but his effort drifted well wide of the left post.

Just a minute later, Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera kept his team in the game with a superb double save — first stretching to parry Mbappe’s attempt as the Frenchman chased a second goal, then reacting brilliantly to deny Vinicius’ rebound effort aimed toward the top corner.

Alaves responded in the 60th minute through Boye, whose shot from outside the box flew well off target.

The hosts thought they had found an equalizer in the 68th minute when substitute Carlos Vicente rounded Courtois and scored, but the flag initially went up for offside. After a VAR review, the decision was overturned, confirming Vicente was onside.

His excellent first touch to control the ball behind the defense and a composed finish past Courtois sent Mendizorroza into celebration as Alaves made it 1–1.

Buoyed by the goal, Alaves nearly turned the match around five minutes later. Carlos Vicente delivered a dangerous cross for Toni Martinez, who was denied from point-blank range thanks to a crucial intervention by Asensio.

Real Madrid answered quickly. In the 75th minute, Rodrygo fired a free kick high over the crossbar, but just a minute later, he made amends. Vinicius produced a brilliant run into the box, leaving Jonny Otto behind before delivering a perfectly weighted assist for Rodrygo, who finished clinically to restore Madrid’s lead at 2–1 and seal the decisive moment of the match.

LA LIGA - ROUND 16

Friday

Sociedad - Girona 1-2 (1-0)

/Guedes 35 - Tsygankov 76, 84/

Saturday

Atletico Madrid - Valencia 2-1 (1-0)

/Koke 17, Griezmann 74 - Beltran 63/

Mallorca - Elche 3-1 (1-1)

/Morlanes 5, Mascarell 82, Muriqi 89 - Maffeo 21 og/

Barcelona - Osasuna 2-0 (0-0)

/Raphinha 70, 86/

Getafe - Espanyol 0-1 (0-0)

/Cabrera 53/

Sunday

Sevilla - Oviedo 4-0 (2-0)

/Adams 4, Sow 22, Mendy 51, Ejuke 89/

Celta - Ath. Bilbao 2-0 (2-0)

/Swedberg 48, El-Abdellaoui 55/

Levante - Villareal POSTPONED

Alaves - Real Madrid 1-2 (0-1)

/Vicente 68 - Mbappe 24, Rodrygo 76/

Monday

23.00: (2.60) Rayo Vallecano (3.50) Betis (2.80)

*** odds are subject to change ***