Real Madrid vs Alavés: Mbappé gives Madrid the lead as Militão injury raises concern

Real Madrid went into halftime with a 1-0 lead over Alavés after Kylian Mbappé scored in the 30th minute at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The scoreline favored Madrid, but the first half was not fully comfortable for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Alavés stayed competitive, created dangerous moments of their own, and nearly found an equalizer before the break.

The biggest talking point, however, was not only the goal. It was the fresh injury concern involving Éder Militão, who had to come off late in the first half after appearing to feel something in his knee.

Mbappé breaks the deadlock

Madrid found the opening goal through Mbappé in the 30th minute.

His effort took a deflection off an Alavés defender before beating Antonio Sivera, giving the home side the breakthrough in a half that had not been especially smooth in attacking terms.

It was an important moment for Madrid because Alavés had shown enough discipline and energy early on to suggest that this would not be an easy night.

Alavés started with confidence

Despite their position near the bottom part of the table, Alavés did not arrive in Madrid just to sit back.

The visitors began well, especially through the width and direct running that caused some discomfort to Madrid’s back line. Ángel gave them depth on the flank, while Lucas Boyé and Toni Martínez offered physical presence and danger in advanced positions.

Denis Suárez also added quality between the lines, helping Alavés connect their attacks with clever passes and calm touches in possession.

That positive start showed that Madrid were facing a side willing to compete rather than simply defend deep from the first minute.

Madrid had more control, but not total comfort

As the first half progressed, Madrid naturally saw more of the ball.

The numbers reflected that control. The home side held 66 percent possession and registered eight shots, while Alavés had three. Madrid also recovered possession more often and spent longer periods in the attacking half.

Still, the rhythm of their play was not consistently sharp.

The lead came through a deflected shot rather than a fully worked move, and that underlined the fact that Madrid had not completely taken over the contest in open play.

Alavés nearly punished Madrid before halftime

Even after falling behind, Alavés remained dangerous.

The visitors came very close to leveling the score late in the half when Toni Martínez hit the post after a pass from Yusi. Soon after, Andriy Lunin had to make another important save to keep Madrid in front.

Those moments were enough to remind Madrid that the match was still open.

Alavés may have spent less time on the ball, but they continued to carry threat whenever they moved forward with speed and purpose.

Militão’s injury changes the mood

The most worrying development for Madrid arrived near the end of the first half.

Militão, who had gone forward and even hit the woodwork in one phase, soon appeared to suffer discomfort in his knee and asked for a substitution. The change immediately raised concern because of the defender’s recent injury history.

That meant Madrid’s halftime lead came with a serious note of caution.

Instead of going into the break focused only on the advantage provided by Mbappé, attention quickly shifted to Militão and the possibility of another setback for the Brazilian center-back.

A tense match still has a lot left in it

Madrid reached the break ahead, but the first half did not suggest that the result was already under control.

Alavés remained alive in the match, Madrid had not fully imposed themselves, and the concern over Militão added more tension to the night.

The second half was set up with two clear questions.

Could Madrid turn a narrow lead into a more convincing result?

And would the post-match conversation center more on Mbappé’s goal or on the condition of one of Madrid’s key defenders?

For the moment, Madrid had the lead. But the game still felt far from finished.