Forward declares he “forgot the pain” to score key goal in tense 2-1 victory over Alavés.
Kylian Mbappé framed Real Madrid’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Alavés on Sunday as a test of resolve, telling reporters afterward that his team “had to show character” to secure a crucial victory that eased pressure on manager Xabi Alonso.
Playing through discomfort from a recent knee injury, the French star opened the scoring with a superb 25th-minute curler and later explained his mindset. “I wasn’t 100 percent at the start,” Mbappé admitted. “But in games like this you forget about the pain. We needed the win, for ourselves and for the team.”
His goal, assisted by Jude Bellingham, gave Madrid a lead they would twice surrender before Rodrygo’s late winner sealed the points. Though Alavés equalized in the second half, Mbappé’s early contribution and leadership proved decisive in a match Madrid felt they had to win.
Manager Xabi Alonso, whose position had come under scrutiny, praised the team’s spirit. “We’re all together in this,” he said after the final whistle. “This win gives us confidence.”
The result cuts Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to four points and reinforces Mbappé’s role not just as a scorer, but as a vocal leader in Madrid’s dressing room during a challenging period.
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