Vinícius and Mbappé power Real Madrid back on track

22/04/2026

MADRID, April 22, (AP): Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior each scored as Real Madrid ended a four-game winless streak by defeating Alaves 2-1.

It was Madrid's first game since it was eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Madrid lost 2-1 at home and 4-3 in Germany in the second leg. The team's last two Spanish league matches had been a 1-1 home draw against Girona and a 2-1 loss at Mallorca.

"We have six games left,” Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said. "The goal is to win all of them, regardless of what happens. Every game counts."

It was a slow start for Madrid on Tuesday, and the crowd at the Bernabeu looked anxious as Alaves had a few scoring chances early. Part of the fans jeered as the team struggled. There were some boos after the final whistle, as well as after Alaves scored late.

Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a shot that deflected off an Alaves defender and fooled goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. Mbappé, the league's leading scorer with 24 goals, hadn't found the net in a league game since February.

Vinícius added to Madrid's lead with a long-range strike in the 50th. The Brazil forward hadn't scored in his last six games between club and country. He was among the players jeered by some of the fans before and during the match. After scoring, he raised his hands in a gesture apparently apologizing to the fans, and there was some applause from the stands for the player.

"Vinicius puts in a tremendous effort, carrying the team on his shoulders,” Arbeloa said. "We can’t deny his attitude. He never hides. He feels a deep connection to the club, and I’m happy when the fans reward him with applause.”

Eduardo Camavinga, who earned his 150th win with Madrid, was also targeted by the Madrid fans before and during the game.

Alaves, sitting one point above the relegation zone, pulled one closer with a goal by Toni Martínez in second-half stoppage time.