Real Madrid beat Alaves keep La Liga hopes

PARIS: (Web Desk) – Real Madrid kept their faint La Liga title hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Alaves on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with his league-leading 24th goal, ending a drought that stretched back to early February. His effort from outside the box took a deflection, leaving goalkeeper Antonio Sivera helpless at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius Junior doubled Madrid’s lead early in the second half with a powerful long-range strike, giving the hosts breathing room. However, Alaves fought back late, with Toni Martinez scoring in stoppage time to set up a tense finish.

The win snapped Madrid’s two-match winless run and reduced the gap to league leaders Barcelona to six points, keeping the title race mathematically alive.

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Madrid had to weather early pressure from a resilient Alaves side, with Martinez and Angel Perez both coming close before Mbappe’s opener shifted momentum.

Despite the victory, frustration lingered among fans, especially after last week’s UEFA Champions League exit against Bayern Munich, which has left Madrid at risk of ending the season without major silverware.

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa stressed that the team’s focus remains on winning their remaining matches, dismissing concerns about his own position.

In other La Liga action, Real Betis secured a 3-2 comeback win against Girona, while Athletic Bilbao edged past Osasuna 1-0. Mallorca and Valencia played out a 1-1 draw.