Kylian Mbappe was sent off for the first time in his Real Madrid career as the reigning LaLiga champions held on to win 1-0 at Alaves for a first victory in four games in all competitions.
Referee Soto Grado initially booked Mbappe for a mistimed tackle on midfielder Antonio Blanco’s calf, only for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Gil Manzano to review the incident before the France forward was sent off in the 38th minute.
Eduardo Camavinga had driven Madrid ahead from outside the box four minutes earlier at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, where Raul Asencio thought he had scored the opener before a VAR check ruled that Antonio Rudiger had fouled goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
CAMAVINGA AL CENTRO DEL CAMPO.
💥 Pared y zurdazo para conquistar Mendizorroza. #LALIGAEASPORTS #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/RPJmICkMJa
— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) April 13, 2025
Alaves vs Real Madrid: Camavinga goal enough
Madrid laboured to victory against opponents who are fourth-bottom of LaLiga, with the result perhaps all that mattered after their defeat at home to Valencia eight days earlier and 3-0 thrashing at Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 8.
This was not a performance to suggest the reigning European champions can achieve a remarkable comeback when they host the Gunners in the second leg on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
Assistant manager Davide Ancelotti – deputising for suspended boss Carlo Ancelotti – did not adjust his line-up after Mbappe’s dismissal, although Vinicius Junior was sent on to patrol the left flank in place of Rodrygo with 28 minutes remaining.
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Arda Guler had a presentable early chance in a one-on-one, as did Jude Bellingham late on after replacing the midfielder.
Alaves were also reduced to 10 players with 20 minutes remaining when left-back Manu Sanchez saw red for a tackle on Vinicius Junior as the last man, receiving his punishment after Grado had consulted the VAR monitor.
👀 Visto en Mendizorroza.#LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/QzmpuIvrzn
— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) April 13, 2025
Kylian Mbappe sent off
Mbappe became the second Real Madrid forward to be sent off during the first half of a LaLiga match in the 21st century, according to AS, who added that Ruud van Nistelrooy was given his marching orders before the break for the club against Atletico Madrid in 2008.
“I didn’t speak to him after the game,” said Davide Ancelotti. “He’s not a violent guy; he’s apologised and is aware of his mistake.
“It’s a clear red card and he’s suffered the consequences. I’m sure that the many little fouls that have been done to him made him react that way, even if it’s the wrong way to react. I’m not justifying it, but it may have been because of that”.
While Madrid have been in uncertain form, Barcelona continued their title charge with a 1-0 win at second-bottom Leganes on Saturday.
Madrid’s next domestic match is at home to fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao next Sunday (20:00), when they are likely to be without Mbappe.
The 26-year-old is likely to be banned for two domestic matches, although he could be ruled out of the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26 (21:00) if he lands the longest possible punishment of four games.
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