Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés, reducing FC Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to six points.
Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior scored on either side of halftime to seal the win at the Santiago Bernabeu, ending Real’s two-match winless run in the league.
The result comes after Real’s exit from the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.
Barcelona have the chance to restore their nine-point cushion when they face Celta Vigo on Wednesday, with six matches remaining in the season.
Real Madrid are in danger of ending the campaign without a trophy for only the fifth time this century, having previously gone without silverware in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10 and 2020-21. With coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s future reportedly uncertain, winning the league could be key to his stay next season.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 30th minute, netting his 24th league goal of the season.
Vinicius doubled the lead six minutes into the second half, finishing from a pass by Federico Valverde for his 12th goal of the campaign.
Alaves pulled one back with the final kick of the match through Tony Martínez.
Real will next travel to Real Betis on Friday, while Alaves host RCD Mallorca a day later.
#From BBC