After a great first half, Carlo Ancelotti’s team may have been lucky to come out on top after a poor second half.

The 3-2 win over Alaves was tense, with Real Madrid starting well and ending with a lot of doubt. Los Blancos were in charge for 45 minutes, with Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo working together to give the home team a 3-0 edge. But two late goals from Alaves almost brought Carlo Ancelotti’s team down, which made the game more interesting.

Lucas Vazquez swept Vinicius’s cutback into the bottom corner for Madrid’s first goal, which came as a surprise. Mbappe scored his second goal just before halftime. He was able to do it easily thanks to a quick pass from Jude Bellingham, who was a big summer signing for Real Madrid.

For the third goal, Rodrygo easily got past two Alaves players and put the ball through the goalkeeper’s knees soon after halftime. Endrick’s deflected shot hit the post just minutes after he came into the game, narrowly missing the chance to score a fourth goal.

Still, Alaves didn’t give up. A player named Carlos Protesoni was the first to touch the ball. He curled it off the post from outside the box. After two minutes, veteran Kike Garcia added a second, making the end very tight. Unfortunately, Los Blancos were unable to keep the lead, but they were able to secure a win that was anything but simple.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (5/10):

Nothing to do until the 85th minute, when he was beaten by a long range strike. Couldn’t stop the second either.

Lucas Vazquez (5/10):

Scored the opener with a smart finish. Gave it away for the Alaves first, and could have been tighter on the second.

Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

A few nice bursts of pace halted opposing attacks. Can’t be blamed for either goal, really.

Eder Militao (7/10):

Spent most of his time passing the ball sideways, and had very little defensive work to do. Madrid were markedly worse at the back when he went off.

Ferland Mendy (6/10):

Went about his usual shielding role with aplomb. His defensive cover allowed Vinicius to do all of the fun attacking things.

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Recycled possession and passed it forward when he needed in the first half – probably his best 45 minutes of the season. Followed it with an unsteady second.

Federico Valverde (8/10):

Never stopped running. Won the ball deep, got involved in the final third. A fine shift.

Jude Bellingham (7/10):

Held onto the ball for too long at times, but was more decisive when it mattered. Combined wonderfully with Mbappe for the second. Less effective – and perhaps a bit tired – in the second half.

Attack

Vinicius Jr (8/10):

Spent most of the game making opponents look very silly. Assisted the opener. Unlucky not to grab a goal of his own.

Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Was a more willing runner than in past weeks. Took advantage of the acres of space offered to him by opposing defenders. Dropped deep and connected well, when needed. Much, much better.

Rodrygo (8/10):

Held width, stayed patient, got his goal. Did some important defensive work, too. Still playing out of position, but was incisive when it counted.

Subs & Manager

Endrick (5/10):

Hit the post within minutes of coming on. Could have been sent off for a reckless kick.

Luka Modric (5/10):

Lacking defensively, didn’t add much going forward.

Jesus Vallejo (3/10):

A rare appearance to give Militao a rest. Had a nightmarish 15 minutes.

Arda Guler (N/A):

Made a couple of vital defensive interventions late.

Fran Garcia (N/A):

Late legs for Vini.

Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

What a confusing one! His side were rampant in the first half, but so, so poor after the break. A few more minutes on the clock and they really could have throw it away. He won’t be happy whatsoever.