The centre-back saw red, adding to his side's lengthy list of absentees, but an unlikely hero popped up to clinch all three points late on
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…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10):
A surprise reintroduction into the lineup. Had admittedly little to do on the night.
Lucas Vazquez (8/10):
Scampered up the line, but was wasteful at key moments, and rather slow to find the right pass when needed. However, popped up when his side needed it most, with what could be a crucial moment in the La Liga title race.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
Good in the air, commanded space well. Turned in a really solid defensive performance — unlike his partner.
Nacho (3/10):
A middling performance before being shown a straight red for an idiotic challenge. What was he thinking?!
Fran Garcia (5/10):
Made a couple of silly fouls, fortunate not to get booked at least once. Well off the level of first choice Ferland Mendy.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Sat deep for the most part, but showed a propensity for getting forward, too. Had Madrid's best two efforts of the first half.
Toni Kroos (8/10):
Probably Madrid's best midfielder on the night. Pinged his passes well, and covered enough ground defensively when Los Blancos went down a man. His set piece delivery was lacking, until a perfect corner set up the winner.
Luka Modric (6/10):
Roamed effectively, found spaces, looked to create. Unlucky to be removed after Nacho was sent off.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
A mixed showing. On the ball a lot, was impactful when he had it. But he also picked up a silly yellow, and did well to avoid a red.
Getty ImagesAttack
Brahim Diaz (6/10):
A nuisance in tight spaces. Made things happen on the break with his trickery and passing ability. Subbed at the right time.
Rodrygo (6/10):
Looked to make things happen, while his directness was valuable on the break. But he often overplayed when he could have made the simple pass.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
A solid shift in central defence off the bench.
Joselu (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
Went with his strongest lineup given the injury situation. His side weren't bad, but were physically outmatched, and rather rattled throughout. Saved by a late winner, so who cares?