Real Madrid ended a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over Arabs on Tuesday, closing the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona with Kylian Mbapp and Vincius Junior each finding the back of the net.
Victory at the Santiago Bernabine meant Madrid are now six points clear of Barcelona, who host Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
It was Madrid’s first match since losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Los Blancos are also struggling domestically, drawing 1-1 with Girona and losing 2-1 to Mallorca in their last La Liga match.
The match started with tension in the Bernab as Alavs created early chances, much to the frustration of the home crowd. Some fans jeered during the first half and continued to jeer after the final whistle after the goal in the second half.
Mbapp broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a deflected shot that beat goalkeeper Antonio Sibera. The French star, who currently leads the league scoring race with 24 goals, has ended a scoring slump that lasted until February.
Vincius Jr. extended the lead to two points in the 50th minute with a powerful long-range shot, ending a six-game drought for club and country without scoring.
Alavs got one back through Toni Marnes in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to change the result. The visiting side remain just above the relegation zone, having won just one of their last nine league games.
Meanwhile, Del Milito was sent off with an injury just before half-time, although Real Madrid later suggested that his injury did not appear to be serious.
