Real Madrid survived Kylian Mbappé’s first-half red card to beat Alavés 1-0 through Eduardo Camavinga’s curling finish.
Both teams ended the match with ten players after Manu Sánchez was also dismissed in the second half.
Camavinga curls Madrid into the lead
Madrid thought they had scored after 18 minutes when Raúl Asencio finished at the back post. VAR sent referee César Soto Grado to the monitor, where he spotted an earlier foul by Antonio Rüdiger on goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute. Camavinga exchanged passes with Federico Valverde outside the box and bent a left-footed shot into the corner. It was his first La Liga goal since March 2022.
Mbappé sent off for challenge on Blanco
Four minutes later, Mbappé caught Antonio Blanco with a high challenge. Soto Grado initially showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after another VAR review.
Assistant coach Davide Ancelotti accepted the decision. “He’s not a violent guy, he’s apologised and is aware of his mistake,” he said in comments published by Real Madrid. “It’s a clear red card and he’s suffered the consequences.”
Alavés also finish with ten men
Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham came off the bench as Madrid tried to protect their lead. Sánchez brought down Vinícius while chasing a long ball in the 70th minute and was shown a straight red after a pitchside review.
Bellingham had a late chance to settle the match but shot straight at Owono when through on goal.
Madrid stay four points behind Barcelona
The win kept Madrid four points behind Barcelona with seven league matches remaining. Alavés stayed one point above the relegation zone.
Carlo Ancelotti missed the match through suspension, leaving his son Davide in charge on the touchline.
