Real Madrid snapped a four-match winless run with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Alavés at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The win, secured by goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, moved Madrid to within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
The Santiago Bernabéu crowd was restless early as Alavés threatened to shock the hosts. Just 60 seconds into the match, Antonio Blanco’s long pass found Ángel Pérez, whose cross toward Lucas Boyé went unconverted. The early scare silenced parts of the home support, with whistles echoing through the stadium as Madrid struggled to find rhythm.
But the turning point came shortly after. Vinícius Jr. And Mbappé began to torment the Alavés defense, combining with relentless movement down the flanks. Mbappé opened the scoring when his shot deflected slightly off Jonny Otto before beating goalkeeper Antonio Sivera, putting Madrid ahead 1-0. The goal marked Mbappé’s 41st in 40 appearances across all competitions this season.
Vinícius Jr. Doubled the lead shortly after, finishing a swift counterattack with composure. After scoring, the Brazilian forward pointed to the badge and apologized to the Bernabéu faithful, acknowledging the recent frustration among supporters. His goal was his 18th of the campaign.
Alavés pulled one back late through Toni Martínez, who struck with a stunning *espuela* (heel kick) following a shot by Guevara. The goal came in the dying minutes and briefly reignited tension, but Madrid held firm to see out the victory.
The match was notable for the absence of Éder Militão, who departed at halftime due to discomfort after a challenge. His early exit added to Madrid’s defensive concerns following their Champions League elimination by Bayern Munich.
Speaking after the match, interim head coach Álvaro Arbeloa emphasized resilience: “Until there are mathematical opportunities, we retain fighting. We have to demand more of ourselves and win the six games left.” His words reflected the squad’s determination to stay in the title race despite the six-point gap to Barcelona.
The victory ended Madrid’s winless streak that included draws against Girona and a loss to Mallorca, along with their Champions League exit. It also marked their first home win since March, offering a much-needed boost ahead of a congested fixture list.
With Barcelona set to face Celta de Vigo on Wednesday, Madrid knows a slip by their rivals could cut the deficit to three points. For now, the focus shifts to recovering Militão and maintaining momentum in the final stretch of La Liga.
What’s next for Real Madrid? Their upcoming La Liga fixture is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Fans can follow live updates through the club’s official channels and La Liga’s broadcast partners.
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