Madrid, second, reeled league leaders Barcelona's advantage back to four points and recorded only their third victory in the last nine games across all competitions. After a home defeat by Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, Spanish media reported anything but a victory would cost Alonso his position.

After Mbappe's superb opener, Carlos Vicente pulled Alaves level in the second half, but Rodrygo secured the visitors a much-needed victory at Mendizorroza stadium. Alonso was able to bring his key player, Mbappe, back into the side after he could only watch the defeat by City from the bench because of knee discomfort.

The coach also handed a debut to Victor Valdepenas at left-back, with both Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia suspended, and Ferland Mendy one of several players out injured. Mbappe appeared to be feeling his knee and also hobbling in the first few minutes but, despite that, was the game's most influential player.

The forward had a shot deflected wide and then fired narrowly over as Alaves sat deep and tried to keep the 15-time European champions at bay. By the time Mbappe opened the scoring in the 25th minute his discomfort seemed to have cleared up.

Released by Jude Bellingham, Mbappe drove towards goal at full tilt and whipped a shot into the top right corner for his 17th league goal of the campaign. England international Bellingham then blasted home from close range but his strike was ruled out for handball, as the ball had struck his arm.

Needing to fight back, Alaves moved on to the front foot and took control of the game before the break, almost pulling level. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a fine save with his head, even if he knew little about it, to deny Pablo Ibanez from close range.

Tight battle

'Los Blancos' were dangerous again soon after the interval, with Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera saving well from Mbappe and then Vinicius Junior. They came to rue those misses when Vicente pulled Alaves level after 68 minutes.

The forward got in behind Antonio Rudiger, controlled former Madrid midfielder Antonio Blanco's chipped pass and whipped a shot past Courtois. Eduardo Coudet's side almost took the lead when Vicente's low cross from the right was nudged wide by Toni Martinez, shifted off-balance as he shot by Raul Asencio's pressure.

Instead Madrid pulled back in front, with Vinicius breaking in down the left and crossing for Rodrygo to finish from six yards out. It was the Brazilian's second goal in two games after going the previous 32 matches without finding the net, and Alonso celebrated vehemently, knowing his future could depend on it.

Vinicius had appeals for a penalty turned down and Bellingham came close in stoppage time as Madrid tried in vain to put the game to bed and ease their nerves. Third-place Villarreal's visit to face Levante was postponed because of a weather warning in the Valencia region. Real Oviedo, 19th, sacked coach Luis Carrion after a 4-0 hammering at Sevilla.

On Saturday, champions Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 to win a seventh straight La Liga game and ensure they will lead the table into 2026, regardless of what happens in the final round of fixtures before the winter break.

Carlos Vicente

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