Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Rodrygo lifted Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Sunday to end their poor form run of form and kept them within four points of leaders Barcelona.
Real had lost two consecutive matches across competitions but took the lead through Kylian Mbappe's superb first-half strike.
Alaves equalised in the 68th minute through Carlos Vicente but visitors regained their lead eight minutes later with a swift counter attack.
Vinicius Jr led the breakaway move and provided the assist for his Brazilian compatriot Rodrygo to convert that confirmed three points to keep Real second in the standings on 39 points, four behind Barcelona, while Alaves are 12th on 18 points.
The win gave under pressure manager Xabi Alonso some much-needed breathing space after they managed only two wins in their previous eight matches in all competitions.
But hosts Alaves showed Real’s weaknesses as they couldn’t hold on to the lead given to them by Mbappe on 24th minute.
Egged on by sold-out Mendizorrotza stadium, Alaves fought back after conceding and even dominated Real after Mbappe had opened the scoring in typical style.
Latching on to Jude Bellingham’s long pass, the French forward darted down the left channel before cutting inside and unleashing a booming strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
But Real’s dominance fizzled out despite taking an early lead as Alaves began to exert control as the first half progressed. The home side out Real's makeshift defence, featuring 19-year-old academy graduate Victor Valdepenas in his senior debut at left back, under pressure.
Their resilience got deserved rewards when substitute Vicente equalised moments after jogging onto the pitch, surging past Real’s high defensive line and finishing in the top corner once he controlled Antonio Blanco's long ball.
The goal stood after a VAR review after it was initially flagged offside. It woke Real up into action and Vinicius wrestled past a defender on the left flank to drive into the penalty area essay a low cross for Rodrygo to slam home the winner from close range.
"It was a tough, very competitive match," Alonso later said at a press conference.
"We started well and took the lead, but then we lost control and, as a result, we didn't finish well. We had chances in the second half, but we conceded from the only mistake Valdepenas made and Carlos Vicente took advantage of that, after a great pass.
"But the team continued to fight hard, battling it out in a difficult stadium against a very intense opponent. That second goal gave us the three points and we're leaving here very happy."
