Real Madrid snatches league lead with last-minute victory over Alavés

In a dramatic turn of events, Real Madrid snatches the top spot in the league standings after a hard-fought match against Alavés. The opportunity came as Girona drew against Betis, allowing Real Madrid to reclaim the leadership.

However, the breakthrough moment came in the 92nd minute when Lucas Vázquez scored the decisive goal, securing a 1-0 victory over Alavés.

Real Madrid entered the game with the clear objective of heading into the break as the league leaders. However, this urgency was not immediately apparent on the field.

While Valverde had an early chance in the first minute, Real Madrid dominated possession without creating clear goal-scoring opportunities. Alavés, well-organized and pressuring Real Madrid’s ball distribution, only faced danger when Brahim and Rodrygo stepped up the attack.

The Alavés strategy involved attempting to disrupt near Kepa’s goal or launching counter-attacks from the back. Their efforts led to shots from a distance that often collided with the Real Madrid defense.

As the minutes passed, Alavés gained momentum, causing discomfort for Real Madrid, which struggled to reach the opponent’s penalty area. Occasional attempts, including a long-range shot by Valverde saved by Sivera, and a header by Samu stopped by Kepa, added excitement to the closing moments of the first half, but it concluded with a 0-0 score.

The second half began with the Mendizorroza crowd appealing for a penalty due to Nacho’s handball, a claim that neither the referee nor VAR recognized.

However, the turning point came in the 54th minute when Nacho received a direct red card for a heel stomp on Samu, leaving Real Madrid with 10 players. This prompted Tchouaméni to replace Modric, and the Frenchman took on a defensive role. Despite the setback, Real Madrid held their ground, relying on the inspiration of Bellingham, Rodrygo, or Brahim for a potential goal.

With Alavés having a numerical advantage, they pushed forward, but Real Madrid controlled possession, calming the game and nullifying the threat. Manager Luis García made offensive changes to capitalize on the extra player, while Ancelotti adjusted Real Madrid’s formation.

The closing stages saw attempts from both sides, but the decisive moment occurred in the 92nd minute when Lucas Vázquez scored a header from a corner kick, securing a late victory and Real Madrid snatches the top spot of the league.

The match ended with mixed emotions for Ancelotti as Rodrygo left the field due to injury. The late triumph marked a crucial moment for Real Madrid in their pursuit of league success.