Real Madrid left Mendizorroza with three precious points and a few new scars. In a hard, tense LaLiga night, they edged Alavés 2-1 thanks to a first-half strike from Kylian Mbappé and a late winner on 79 minutes from Rodrygo. Carlos Vicente’s quick equalizer gave the hosts real hope, and a clear penalty shout for Vinícius Jr. that was not awarded will spark conversations for days. It was Madrid’s final away league match of the year and, as one line summed it up, “Real Madrid beat Alavés at Mendizorroza in their final LaLiga away game of the year.”

Mbappé strikes first to settle Real Madrid’s nerves

Madrid needed a calm start after recent pressure around head coach Xabi Alonso. They got it from their superstar forward. Mbappé’s finish in the first half put the visitors ahead and quieted a loud Mendizorroza. The goal did not end the contest, but it gave Madrid a platform and some control in a tight game.

Even with the lead, Alavés found moments and asked questions. That is where Thibaut Courtois stepped up. He made key saves that kept Madrid in front and allowed Alonso’s side to manage the tempo. This was not a show of flowing football. It was about doing enough at the right moments.

“Mbappé sets the tone, Courtois holds the door — that’s the template away from home.”

Alavés fight back: Vicente scores with his first touch

The hosts did not go away. The second half belonged to their energy and belief. The turning point arrived with Carlos Vicente, who had just come on and, with his first touch, scored the equalizer. The description says it all: “Carlos Vicente had just come on the pitch and with his first touch, he has scored.”

That moment lifted the stadium. Madrid looked stuck for a spell, short on ideas and short on control. Alavés smelled an upset and poured forward. The match became open, nervous, and physical. It felt like the type of night where one more precise action would decide it.

“Alavés didn’t blink. That equalizer had the crowd believing in a famous finish.”

Rodrygo’s 79th-minute winner: relief and a reminder

Rodrygo provided that next decisive action. On 79 minutes, he found the net, and the release was obvious. As one line framed it, “Rodrygo’s first LaLiga goal since January saw a lacklustre Real Madrid side claim a 2-1 win at Alavés.” The drought note matters. This was more than three points; it was confidence for a key forward who thrives on rhythm.

The assist came from Vinícius Jr., whose quick feet and timing opened the door. Vinícius had been involved in the game’s flashpoint too, drawing what looked like a clear penalty that was not awarded. The winner, though, made sure the decision did not change the final score.

The penalty that wasn’t given on Vinícius Jr.

The contest may be remembered as much for the decision that was not made as for the goals that were. A clear penalty on Vinícius Jr. was not awarded, and the reaction said everything. These calls carry weight in close title races. The debate will go on about contact, intent, and consistency. What is certain is that it could have made the night easier for Madrid. Instead, they had to dig even deeper.

“If that’s not a pen on Vini, what is? The margin at the top is razor-thin.”

Court of small margins: Alonso’s Madrid and the title race

Context matters. After 17 league games, Real Madrid sit second with a 12W-3D-2L record, a +18 goal difference, and 39 points. Barcelona lead the table with 43 points (14W-1D-2L, +29 GD). That four-point gap is not huge, but it is real. It means Madrid can’t afford many slip-ups, especially in games like this.

This was a result built on stars taking their chances and a goalkeeper making sure those chances counted. Mbappé did his job early. Courtois did his in the middle. Rodrygo finished late. That spine, when it clicks, wins tight away matches. Alonso’s team still shows signs of a group building rhythm. The word “lacklustre” appeared in the framing of the win, and it fits parts of the performance. But champions collect points on average nights too. This was one of those nights.

What we learned at Mendizorroza

There was grit in Madrid’s response. When Vicente scored, the game could have tilted against them. Instead, they steadied and found a moment. That says something about the squad’s mentality. It also underlines how vital Vinícius is. Even when the penalty shout was waved away, he still made the assist for the winner.

Alavés deserved credit for their intensity. They found a spark off the bench and made elite opponents sweat. On another day, one more bounce might have gone their way. The margins were that fine.

Final whistle: three points, real questions, and renewed belief

By the end, the headline was simple: “Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo score to fuel Real Madrid to a 2-1 LaLiga victory over Alavés.” The details carry the story. Mbappé’s first-half calm, Vicente’s instant reply, Rodrygo’s late release, Courtois’s big stops, and a penalty decision that will be argued all week. It was a night of moments, and Madrid found the last one.

For Alonso and his players, the job now is to turn nights like this into stepping stones. The table says they are in the race. The performance says there is room to grow. The win says they can still suffer and still win. As the year closes, that is not a bad place to be.