Real Madrid defeated relegation-threatened Alaves 2-1 in La Liga, narrowing the gap with leaders Barcelona to six points.
Published April 21, 2026
Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior each scored as Real Madrid beat Alaves 2-1, ending their winless run at four points and moving closer to Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league.
Tuesday’s win at the Bernabéu Stadium left Madrid six points clear of Barcelona, who host sixth-placed Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
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It was Madrid’s first match since losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals. Madrid lost the second leg 1-2 at home and 4-3 against Germany. The team’s last two games in the Spanish league were a 1-1 draw at home against Girona and a 2-1 loss against Mallorca.
Madrid got off to a slow start on Tuesday, giving the Bernabeu crowd an anxious look as Alaves had several early scoring chances. As the team struggled, some fans jeered. There were boos after the final whistle and after Alaves scored late on.
Mbappé fired a shot that broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, but it hit an Alaves defender and deceived goalkeeper Antonio Cibera. Mbappe, the league’s top scorer with 24 goals, has not found the back of the net in a league match since February.
Vinicius extended Madrid’s lead in the 50th minute with a long-range shot. The Brazilian forward had not scored in his last six games for club and country.
Alaves, who are one point above the relegation zone, came within one point with Toni Martinez’s goal in stoppage time in the second half.
Alaves have only won once in their last nine league games. His only victory came in March against Celta Vigo.
Madrid’s Brazilian defender Eder Militão was forced to be substituted just before half-time due to an injury, but Madrid said his injury did not appear to be serious.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon saved a penalty and made several other important stops to help ninth-placed Athletic Bilbao win 1-0 at home to mid-table Osasuna.
Mallorca drew 1-1 with Valencia.
5th place Real Betis defeated 11th place Girona 3-2 with Rodrigo Riquelme’s winning goal in the 80th minute.
