Real madrid were dragged into a spiky contest on Thursday night, toiling their way through a scrappy affair. And it seemed that they would settle for a frustrating point — until a stoppage time header from Lucas Vazquez gave them a 1-0 win.
For long stretches, this seemed like a chance missed for Carlo Ancelotti's side, who could go top after Girona dropped points earlier today. Madrid could have taken the lead inside five minutes, when Federico Valverde burst through on goal — only to hit his shot right at the goalkeeper. The Uruguayan came close again later in the half, but saw his long-range effort well denied.
Los Blancos were firmly in control, when a rash piece of defending changed things. Backup centre-back Nacho stepped on Samuel Omorodion's Achilles — and was swiftly shown a red card. Still, Madrid had their chances. Rodrygo curled one narrowly wide. Bellingham was inches away from nodding a Vazquez cross home.
Alaves, meanwhile, couldn't make the extra man count, and the contest rather faded down the break. Vazquez's goal came from nowhere, the right-back rising to meet a Toni Kroos corner and awkwardly nod the ball into the far corner.
This was ugly, perhaps even underserved. But Madrid bagged a crucial win, and find themselves top of the table at Christmas.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Mendizorroza...
