Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Thursday will see them finish the calendar year atop La Liga. After Nacho was sent off less than ten minutes into the second half, Carlo Ancelotti’s team was on course for a goalless draw at Mendizorrotza Stadium. However, Lucas Vasquez’s goal two minutes into stoppage time secured three points for the trip back to the capital.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Lucas Vazquez’s stoppage-time header gave Real Madrid the victory against Deportivo Alaves, ensuring that they would top La Liga come 2023.At a corner in the 92nd minute, diminutive right-back Vazquez went unmarked and scored the game’s lone goal.Seven minutes after the break, Nacho earned his red card—which was only awarded following a VAR review—for dragging Samu Omorodion’s Achilles.

This put Madrid in a vulnerable situation.They made a good response, and Alaves failed to put the visitors’ improvised defence, which included Aurelien Tchouameni at centre back, to the test. It was easy to understand why Alaves had now lost their last four league games without scoring.With the win, Madrid leads La Liga heading into the winter break with 45 points, level with Girona but superior on goal differential and the head-to-head record.Alaves maintain their position of 15th with 16 points, three points above the relegation zone.

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......ALKING POINT – MADRID END THE YEAR IN STYLE

Real Madrid’s run of 17 games without a loss in all competitions was extended by this outcome, but more significantly, it put them atop La Liga. Despite Girona’s remarkable performance through 17 games, they must be the clear favourites to win the championship at this point. This calendar year, Madrid won the Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup, and they signed Jude Bellingham, a player who appears capable of being their main man for the next ten years. However, they will undoubtedly feel better about 2023 now that they won La Liga. The way they arrived was also typical of Madrid. winning at the last minute despite it seems like Carlo Ancelotti’s team had the odds against them.

Real Madrid players celebrate their late winner Image credit: Getty Images

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – RAFA MARIN (ALAVES)

The player on loan at Alaves from Real Madrid showed the parent club what he is capable of up close and personal, with an assured display at the heart of defence. But for some inexplicable marking at a late corner, where no Alaves player took charge, he would have had a clean sheet to show for it.Given Nacho will now be banned – adding to a list of defensive absentees which includes the long-term injured Eder Militao and David Alaba – Madrid may seek to have Marin recalled from his loan next month.

PLAYER RATINGS

Alaves: Sivera 6, Gorosabel 6, Abqar 7, Maris 7, Duarte 5, Guevara 6, Blanco 5, Gruidi 5, Rioja 5, Rebbach 5, Omorodion 5. Subs: Hagi 5, Lopez 5, Sola 5, Tenaglia 5, Garcia 5.Real Madrid: Kepa 6, Vasquez 7, Nacho 4, Rudiger 7, Garcia 6, Kroos 6, Modric 5, Valverde 6, Diaz 6, Bellingham 5, Rodrygo 5. Subs: Tchouameni 6, Joselu 5 Ceballos n/a.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

CHANCE! 2′ – Madrid make inroads on the right, with slick passing creating a two-on-one break. Diaz commits the last man, then slips in Valverde out wide and he shoots first time, but straight at the goalkeeper.RED CARD! 52′ – Nacho comes through the back of Omorodion, raking his studs down the Alaves man’s Achilles. A yellow card is brandished initially, but after a VAR review it is quite rightly upgraded to a red.CLOSE! 75′ – Kroos plays a brilliant pass into space, Rodrygo cuts in from the right, finds the room needed to shoot and hits it just wide of the top corner.GOAL! ALAVES 0-1 REAL MADRID (VAZQUEZ) 90+2′ – Real Madrid have won it! Kroos’ corner is met by Vazquez – unmarked seven yards out – and he heads into the ground, then into the roof of the net.