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Real Madrid fended off a late scare to secure a 3-2 win against Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in LaLiga on Tuesday, September 24.
Real Madrid made an electric start to the game and grabbed a 1-0 lead inside the first minute of the match. Vinicius Junior did well to bring a long ball down, before driving to the byline and putting a low cross from a tight angle. Captain Lucas Vazquez made a lovely run into space to tap-in to give Los Blancos the lead.
From that point on, Real played a very efficient game and did not attempt another shot until late in the first half. However, that resulted in their second goal after some brilliant link-up play between Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. The Frenchman played a deft backheel to the Englishman, who released Mbappe into the box as he smashed it into the near post to make it 2-0.
Real Madrid led 2-0 at the break.
The hosts began the second half as they had done the first, looking sharp and intentful as they pushed forward to grab another goal. Vazquez was on fire as he drove forward and assisted Rodrygo to make it 3-0 just three minutes after the restart as Real Madrid created plenty breathing space between themselves and Alaves.
Mbappe and Eder Militao were both withdrawn in the 80th minute as Carlo Ancelotti looked to rest them. However, things went downhill just five minutes after that as Real Madrid were caught napping. Skipper Carlos Benavidez pulled one goal back from an assist by Ander Guevara. Less than a minute later, Benavidez turned provider and assisted Kike Garcia to make it 3-2.
Real Madrid held on to secure a vital victory, and on that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois - 6.5/10
Courtois made just one save throughout the game for Real Madrid and lost his clean sheet as Alaves scored two goals in two minutes late on.
Lucas Vazquez - 8.5/10
Vazquez scored in the first minute of the game after making a lovely run. He also assisted Real's third goal. He also won four duels.
Antonio Rudiger - 7/10
Rudiger had a good game in defense as he won three duels, making three clearances, two blocks and one tackle.
Eder Militao - 7.5/10
Militao had a great game in defense as he won two duels, made five clearances and also blocked one shot. He played one key pass and expanded Real Madrid's play with six long balls.
Ferland Mendy - 6.5/10
Mendy played the entire 90 minutes but had an average game.
Federico Valverde - 7/10
Valverde had a good game for Los Blancos as he won two duels and also made four interceptions and one block.
Aurelien Tchouameni - 6.5/10
Tchouameni passed the ball with 94% accuracy, including one long ball in a decent performance.
Jude Bellingham - 7.5/10
Bellingham combined with Mbappe in a lovely move to put the hosts 2-0 up. He also played three long balls, completed two dribbles and won five duels.
Rodrygo - 8/10
Rodrygo had a quality game on and off the ball for his team. He won all six of his duels and also scored the goal to make it 3-0 in the second half. He also played one key pass and completed three dribbles.
Kylian Mbappe - 8/10
Mbappe was electric in the final third and scored with his only shot on target. He also completed four dribbles as he left the Alaves players for dead. Mbappe also won six duels.
Vinicius Junior - 7/10
Vinicius assisted his team's first goal in the very first minute of the contest. He also won six duels and completed five dribbles in an eventful match for Real Madrid.
Substitutes
Luka Modric - 6.5/10
He came on in the second half and put in a good shift.
Endrick - 6/10
Endrick attempted two shots but just one of those was on target. Apart from that he had an underwhelming outing.
Jesus Vallejo - 6/10
Vallejo came on in the 80th minute and failed to make the desired impact.
Arda Guler - 6/10
Guler replaced Mbappe late in the game but failed to make the difference.
Fran Garcia - N/A
He came on with just a few seconds on the clock and did not play enough to warrant a rating.
