Alavés 1-4 Real Madrid: result, summary and goals

Goals from Casemiro, Hazard and a brace from Benzema with a lone reply from Joselu see Madrid secure a 1-4 win.

The whistle sounds and it's all over as an excellent first 45' from Real Madrid steers the side from the capital to a comfortable win after a better response from Adelardo's side in the second half. 

Mendez carded as he trips Vinicius

Just two minutes of time to be added on here at Mendizorroza

Into the final minute of action.... Alaves still probing despite the game long gone for the side from Vitoria with Real Madrid set to return to the Spanish capital with maximum points.  

Benzema carded for a stamp on Edgar

Manu Garcia lands awkwardly and immediately the Alaves medical team rush on to check the player

Into the final five we go....Sainz carded for Alaves

Of all the Alaves subs. introduced at the break the former Arsenal and West Ham man has been a major influence in changing the direction of the game.

Inches wide...... Lucas Perez almost steers the ball into the Madrid net but the ball drifts wide with Courtois well beaten.

If only Alaves had played like this in the entire game... A much improved performance from El Glorioso in this second 45' but the three goal haul from Madrid in the first half, always made a comeback a major uphill task.

Laguardia carded for a barge on Vinicius

Deyverson on for goal scorer Joselu

 Odriozola on for Asensio. Modric makes way for Isco.

 Odriozola set to make an entrance 

Once again Modric was instrumental in the goal with a majestic assist to find the French striker for the goal.

Goal no. 10 of the season for Karim Benzema

A major body blow for Alaves who had just started to establish a foothold back in this game. 

Pina off/Pere Pons on for Alaves

VAR consulted but the goal stands with Benzema onside when picking up the ball 

Gooool Benzema makes it 4

Real Madrid sitting deeper and possibly playing now with a touch of complacency after their 0-3 lead at the break. 

Modric fires on target but Pacheco is on hand to save well. Rare save in the second half from the Alaves stopper. Courtois the busier of the stoppers in this second half. 

Vinicius on for Hazard. A decent showing tonight from the Belgian with a goal and assist.

Another goal for Alaves would really add to the tension here.

Credit to Abelardo for his half time switches with Alaves now playing with far more verve and vigor and more importantly playing with a sense of belief. 

Zidane's No. 2 Bettoni looks on from the Madrid bench with his side 0-3 to the good

Better from Alaves now but one feels that the third goal on the stroke of the interval has sealed the direction of this game.

The Brazilian looks to be in some discomfort and leaves the field for attention with the Real Madrid medics. 

Now Militao is checked and goes to ground with a yell of pain as he is caught by Pina.

Scream of pain from Kroos as Manu Garcia clips the German player. The Alaves veteran will need to watch his step after his earlier yellow.

Sainz has a right footed shot but straight at Courtois.

No midweek Copa action for both these sides with Real Madrid next up against Levante next weekend at Valdebebas with Aleves set to face Getafe on Sunday.

Possession stats after 50: Alaves 29-71 Real Madrid (%)

Manu carded for Alaves

Luis Rioja, Battaglia and Ximo Navarro all swapped at the interval

 Joselu goes close for Alaves as the home side set out with a far more positive attitude. 

We're back in action

Borja Sainz, Lucas Perez and Manu Garcia all making an entrance as Abelardo sweeps in the changes

Lucas Perez getting ready to make an entrance

Old school scoreboard being used tonight

Alaves desperately need an early goal to offer a sliver of hope.

What can Abelardo do to address the issues for the home side ?

Outclassed and outplayed... far from a happy birthday for Deportivo Alavés who only managed to take the game to Real Madrid in the opening phase of tonight's game. Goals from Casemiro, Benzema and a Hazard effort on the stroke of halt time see the side from the capital in total control. 

Vazquez finds Hazard and the Belgian slots past Pacheco to add to Alaves' anguish. 

Into added time at the end of the first 45'.... One minute extra to be played at Mendizorroza.

A hard task for Alaves, just got harder. Difficult to see a way back for the Basque side who have yet to trouble Courtois in this first period. Words and a new approach needed by Abelardo for the second 45'.

Patient from Madrid as Kroos, Hazard combine as the French forward takes a step and rifles past Pacheco from the edge of the box. 

Goooooool Benzemaaaaaaa what a rocket from the French striker

Madrid just moving the ball around comfortably now as Alaves just try and intercept any loose ball but no quarter being given by the men in white.

Alaves on 18 points lurk just above the drop zone and a loss here coupled with a win for either Elche or Osasuna over the weekend would see the men from Vitoria finishing the match-day in the relegation zone.

Pacheco has been the busier of the keepers tonight but his side will need to be more clinical as they look for a way past the men in white.

Alaves looking for a way back now as they start to re-address the balance of possession. Still nothing of note for Courtois to do with little to trouble the Belgian so far. 

Fifteen minutes remain here in Vitoria and and at present it's a Casemiro goal the difference between the teams with Real Madrid hoping to spoil the Alaves birthday party.

Hazard goes close for Madrid but watches as his effort just drifts wide. 

Pina of Deportivo Alaves and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid battle for the ball at Mendizorroza

The Alaves No. 11 seems okay to carry on .... Madrid well on top now with a win here moving Zidane's men just 4 points behind table topping Ateto who face Valencia tomorrow.

Luis Roja seems to be in trouble with the player having a problem with his shoulder ... Lucas getting ready should a substitution be needed. 

The men in blue and white have been on the back foot now since Madrid took the lead. A psychological vulnerability which goes with being at the foot of the LaLiga table.  

The goal has really settled Madrid as Mendy squares a ball and once again Lejeune is on at hand to save the day with Benzema looking to pounce.

Alaves rattled now as it's all Real Madrid ....

Benzema almost puts Madrid 0-2 ahead after he latches onto a fine Asensio ball but the flag is up

Far too easy for the Brazilian who rises well to nod into the corner of Pacheco's net....fine corner kick from Kroos.

Benzema goes close and a combination of Pacheco and Lejeune save the day for the home side.

Fine chance for the home side as Martin blazes the ball wide

Long range effort from Modric but the Croatian central player always getting under the ball and it sails over Pacheco's crossbar.

Kroos set to take the free right on the Alaves dead ball line but the German overhits the dead ball.

Ximo carded for a late challenge on Mendy.

Madrid make a foray into the Alaves box but Benzema's lofted ball is easy for the defence to control.

Madrid clear their lines from the Duarte corner and now the side from the capital just pause and try and build from the back.

Corner for Alaves, first of the evening

Madrid now managing a sustained spell of possession after an initial period of pressure from the home side. 

All the play in the Real Madrid half as David Bettoni deputising on the Madrid bench tonight doing his best to fire his men up.

Sloppy from Casemiro as he gifts the ball to a rival player but Alavés unable to create any danger.

Real Madrid set to kick-off and off we go in Vitoria....

Fist bumps all round from Benzema and Pacheco as ahead of the game there will be a few 100 anniversary events with one of the club's oldest supporters on the pitch.

Alaves in their classic blue and white combo as they pose beside a massive 100 marking their anniversary. Real Madrid tonight in their all white. 

Five minutes ahead of kick-off. Here's tonight's AS English pre-game predictions:

Fidel: Alaves 1-3 R. Madrid

Kieran: Alaves 1-2 R. Madrid

Paul: Alaves 1-1 R. Madrid

Just the one win in the past five Real Madrid outings with echoes of the Copa del Rey elimination midweek at the hands of 2B side Alcoyano still reverberating around the footballing world. 

Alaves on a rotten run with the only win in the last five coming in the second round of the Copa del Rey (vs Deportivo)

The pitch at the Mendizorroza looking immaculate tonight ahead of the action. It's a damp evening in Vitoria with a current temperature of 9C/49F.

In the corresponding fixture in Vitoria last year, Real Madrid won 1-2 but Abelardo's side will be motivated by the scoreline from the last meeting between both sides in Valdebebas with the Basque outfit securing a win by the same result.

Tonight's match official will be Canary Islander Alejandro José Hernández Hernández.

Benzema handed the Real Madrid captain's armband tonight in the absence of Ramos and another opportunity for Belgian winger Eden Hazard to rediscover that made him one of the most heralded players in the world when at Chelsea.

Madrid injury problems

Real Madrid will be without a number of key players tonight with the likes of Odegaard, Ramos, Valverde, Carvajal and Rodrygo being ruled out via injury and in the case of the Norwegian midfielder due to coaching reasons. Nacho is also missing after coming into close contact with a positive covid individual and is currently isolating.

Tonight's game also marks the first home match for Abelardo in his second spell as Alaves head coach. The Asturian manager has already overseen two games for 'El Glorioso' in his second stint at the club but a 5-0 Copa del Rey drubbing (vs Almeria) and a defeat to Sevilla in LaLiga see the new manager looking for his first win on the Alaves bench.

Tonight is a very special night for the home side as 'El Glorioso' celebrate their 100th anniversary with the Basque club founded on this day in 1921.

There will be no Zinedine Zidane on the bench for Real Madrid after the French coach tested positive on Friday morning for covid.

Read more here:

Eliminated at the hands of Athletic Club in the semi-final of the 2021 Spanish Super Cup, dumped out of the 2020/21 Spanish Copa del Rey at the hands of part-timers Alcoyano and today, confirmation that head coach has been tested positive for covid. It's fair to say that Real Madrid have experienced better weeks. Imperative that 'Los Blancos' bounce back in Vitoria tonight.

Deportivo Alaves start with the following 11:

The teams have just been confirmed.... first up the visitors:

Real Madrid XI: 

The action at the Estadio Mendizorroza gets underway at 21:00 CET

Hello and welcome to tonight's live coverage as Deportivo Alavés face Real Madrid in Vitoria.