Goals from Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe eased the pressure on Xabi Alonso as his Real Madrid team beat Alaves 2-1 in LaLiga.
Los Blancos started Sunday’s game seven points adrift of Barcelona at the summit, with a run of two wins in seven matches leading to intense speculation about Alonso’s future.
But his team picked up a much-needed three points at the Estadio de Mendizorroza, having hit the front through a wonderful finish from Mbappe in the 24th minute.
Having taken in Jude Bellingham’s pass in the left channel, Mbappe ran at the backtracking Alaves defence before curling a delightful effort into the top-right corner.
Madrid had already gone close via Rodrygo by that point, and they thought they had a second goal shortly after Mbappe’s opener, only for Bellingham to be penalised for handball when he brought down Arda Guler’s cross to score.
Federico Valverde then dragged a shot wide early in the second half, before Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera thwarted Mbappe and Vinicius Junior with an excellent double save.
And Alaves dragged themselves level in the 68th minute, with substitute Carlos Vicente finding the top corner after being played in behind by Antonio Blanco, just 43 seconds after entering the fray.
But Madrid would not be denied, with Vinicius the architect of their 76th-minute winner with an explosive run down the left, with his centre being prodded home by Rodrygo.
Data Debrief: Brazilian connection boosts Madrid
It looked as though Madrid might drop further behind Barcelona in the title race when Alaves got back on level terms, but their pair of Brazilian attackers bailed Alonso out.
Vinicius has now supplied 11 assists for Rodrygo for Real Madrid across all competitions, more than double the amount by any other player (Luka Modric had five for him).
Mbappe’s goal, meanwhile, was his seventh at the end of a carry in all competitions this season – three more than any other player.
Madrid were perhaps slightly fortunate to take three points, having only amassed 1.24 expected goals (xG) to Alaves’ 1.36, though Los Blancos did outshoot their hosts 13 to six.