Alavés - Real Madrid summary: Vázquez, score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2023/24

Jude (jingle) Bellingham takes Real Madrid to top spot

Girona fans may disagree, but the stats show Real Madrid have been the best team in LaLiga. It seems only fitting to leave you with the man who has done so much to get them there. 

After a two-week break, the Spanish top flight will resume with Los Blancos on top. Who would bet against them ending the campaign there?

Merry Christmas!

That Fede feeling

Fede Valverde on the other hand...even Jude is impressed. 

Lucas Vázquez's late winner

I'm going to say EA Sports FC 24 Lucas Vázquez looked much happier with his goal than the real one did, which is...bizarre! 

Real Madrid top of LaLiga at Christmas

It never looked as if Carlo Ancelotti's side was going to win that game. But win it they did. And their prize is top spot in LaLiga! Not a bad Christmas present. 

Real Madrid secure 14th win in 17 games

That, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, is just what Real Madrid do. Find a way to win, time and time and time again. 

Full time: Alavés 0-1 Real Madrid

Yes, this IS over. Hardly a classic - I really can't emphasise that enough - but 10-man Real Madrid are top of LaLiga thanks to Lucas Vázquez's injury-time header!

Bellingham expertly playing for time, winning a free-kick by the corner flag. This is over. 

Ceballos on for Rodrygo. 

Rodrygo down

Just as Real Madrid don't have enough injuries, Rodrygo now looks to have taken a sore one. 

What on earth were Alavés doing? Vázquez was all alone in the middle of the goal just a few yards out. 

Madrid have surely snatched this right at the end!

The smallest man on the pitch (I think) is all alone and heads in from Kroos' corner!

Corner for Madrid...

Five minutes of injury time. 

Tenaglia is briefly in the thick of things as he sees yellow for hauling down Rodrygo. 

Tenaglia gets his head to the corner but his tame effort is easily saved by Kepa. 

Alavés rally!

Brilliant work from Blanco to rob Bellingham and Rioja wins a corner for the hosts!

Carlo Ancelotti looks understandably annoyed on the touchline as Rodrygo passes the ball straight out of play as he tries to find Vázquez. 

There couldn't be less sign of a goal coming. But this is Real Madrid, it wouldn't surprise you, would it? 

Bellingham sees yellow

The yellowest yellow you'll ever see. Bellingham slides in on Tenaglia and is rightly booked. 

Seconds earlier, Guevara had a good chance to pick out an unmarked Rioja at the far post but underhit his ball. 

López catches Valverde late and goes in the book. 

10 minutes to go? Is a goal coming? We have to believe!

We've not had one of these for a while. Kroos whips a short free-kick into the box and it's another wasted, straight into Sivera's hands. 

Tenaglia and Kike on, Gorosabel and Omorodion off. 

Oh dear. Hagi gets the ball out wide and has men to aim at in the box. Sadly for him, he hits a man standing behind the goal. 

Joselu on to face former club

Joselu is on for Brahim and is roundly booed by the fans who used to worship him. You wouldn't expect anything less, would you?

Inches wide from Rodyrgo!

The closest Madrid have come! For the first time, Alavés are exposed in defence, Rodrygo cuts in from the left and whistles an effort just past the post!

Close for Bellingham!

He didn't actually touch the ball, but Bellingham was very, very nearly on the end of a dangerous ball into the box from Vázuqez!

Alavés attack down the left but López's cross is cleared and Blanco's follow-up is claimed by Kepa. 

Rebbach off, Sola on for the hosts. 

I'd say Madrid have been marginally the better team since the red card. 

Very scrappy stuff at the moment. Hagi wants a free-kick at one end, Brahim at the other. The latter manages to get a shot away but it doesn't trouble Sivera. 

Hagi has a brilliant chance to get Omorodion in behind but carelessly allows García to get a foot in and clear. What might have been. 

There's very little going on in the way of attacking from either side, unfortunately. BUT, Real Madrid have a corner...

Nacho's second red card of the season

A quick glance at social media tells me the majority watching are not impressed with Nacho's tackling...The veteran defender already saw red for a reckless challenge against Girona in September. 

A lovely flick from Bellingham threatens to get Brahim away in the box but several blue shirts race back to shut him down. No way through. 

Alavés are not exactly going in for the kill, it looks as if they're playing the long game with half-an-hour to go. 

The first attack in a while for Madrid. Bellingham twists and turns on the right and delivers a low cross, which is easily cut out by Sivera. 

Alavés threatening around the Madrid box but Rüdiger emphatically deals with a cross from the left. 

Javi López and Hagi replace Duarte and Guridi for the hosts. Attacking. 

Alavés have done really well, even against 11 men. It would be SO Real Madrid to win this with 10, though, wouldn't it?

Modric off, Tchouaméni on

Ancelotti has immediately responded. A bit more physicality in midfield (although it looks as if Tchouaméni will play in central defence). 

That was an ugly challenge from Nacho, he really can't have too many complaints! Madness. 

Nacho sent off

Nacho can start his Christmas holidays early, he's off! Not for the first time this season...

VAR red card check coming for Nacho

It's coming... 

Omorodion is down and Alavés want VAR to check for a red...

Nacho booked

Oooof, Nacho goes through the back of Omorodion and is first to go in the book. Proper studs down the back of the leg stuff. 

Duarte's free-kick looks destined for Omorodion but the Alavés attacker can't quite get to it and the ball is cleared. 

García shoves Rioja in the back and this is a chance for Alavés to get the ball into the box. 

Sivera flaps at the corner but somehow manages to get a free kick. 

Brahim shot deflected wide!

Madrid's first effort of the half! Brahim makes space for a shot in the box but it's deflected narrowly wide!

Super back-tracking from Rioja to dispossess García, who tried to get a cross in down the left. 

Real Madrid have made A LOT of blocks in and around their own penalty box. Gorosabal tries to pick out Omorodion but the ball pings off Kroos and the visitors clear. 

Second half underway

Right, this second half will be better. Come on!

The teams are back out, having presumably not had any ham sandwiches. About to get underway again. 

I'm now trying to think of ham/soccer-related puns but haven't got past Jude Belling-ham and Bra-ham Diaz.

20,000 half-time ham sandwiches

Maybe we've should've been focusing on the action in the stands rather than on the field! Nothing beats a half-time ham sandwich at a soccer game in Spain, although you normally have to pack one yourself. Not tonight in Vitoria. Nice gesture. Merry Christmas!

Half time: Alavés 0-0 Real Madrid

After Valverde tested Sivera within seconds of kick off, it looked as if Madrid were in the mood and ready to throw everything at Alavés from the word go.

It’s definitely not worked out that way, with opportunities to score proving hard to come by. Another Valverde strike, this time from distance, has been the only other threat to the home goal, with Alavés defending stoutly.

They’ve also grown into the game in attack, without being overly threatening themselves. Rioja has had to well-struck efforts blocked, with Kepa has easily dealt with a couple of headers from set plays.

Surely we’ll have more goalmouth action in the second half…(he says, tempting fate)?

Real Madrid struggling to create in Vitoria

Put your hands up if this has been hard work so far. 

Half time: Alavés 0-0 Real Madrid

NO injury time! When was the last time that happened? Goalless at the break. 

We didn't see that coming...Kroos zips it to Valverde, whose fierce shot is blocked!

We've seen this movie before...A Kroos free-kick on the edge of the box, not at a shooting angle. 

Smooth from Gorosabel as he flicks Rüdiger's attempted through-ball over Rodrygo and manages to keep it in play round the other side. Nicely done. 

There's not been much to separate these two so far. 

I gave it the big build-up...for absolutely no reason. Straight out for a goal kick. 

Here we go. Vázquez drifts infield and is bundled over. Another chance for Kroos to get the ball into the box. 

Valverde shot saved!

The closest Madrid have come since the opening minute! It's Valverde again, who lines one up from range. It's a good strike but parried away by Sivera!

Rioja is looking dangerous down the Alavés right! His cross is blocked - again - by Kroos and the hosts want a penalty for handball! Never getting that one, amigos. 

García whips a nice looking cross in from the left but it's a little too far ahead of Rodrygo and runs out of play on the opposite side. 

The hosts are growing in confidence! We've not seen much of Omorodion but he gets a header on target, which is easily claimed by Kepa. 

Another Alavés shot, another Real Madrid block! For the second time, Riojo's effort is cut out by García. 

Gorosabel picks the ball up inside his own half, goes forward, goes forward some more, goes forward some more and shoots! Blocked by Nacho. That was a bit too easy for him to get a shot away, I'd suggest...

Kroos lofts the ball over the top for Brahim, who can't get on the end of it and was offside anyway. Nothing clicking for the visitors.. 

Rodrygo nips away down the right and Madrid are away...! Oh, no, they're not. His pass infield is cut out by a swarm of blue shirts racing back to defend. 

Modric has lost the ball more times in this game than in the last 10 years, I think. 

Real Madrid looked really dangerous in the first few minutes but that's subsided now. 

What a spectacular waste of a corner from Alavés! Rioja plays it straight to Rodrygo, who looks to be away on the counterattack until Gorosabel intervenes and dispossesses him in unconventional fashion. Did the job though. 

A few Madrid players are trying to force the issue at the moment. Rüdiger tries to get Vázquez in behind Duarte but that pass was never really on. Patience required. 

Marín managed to get a head on as the second ball comes back into the box, but it's an easy claim for Kepa, who could've thrown his cap on it (if he had one). 

A corner up for the other end for Alavés, who are starting to have their moments!

Another free-kick for Madrid in the final third and another disappointing one from Kroos, whose delivery is nowhere near a teammate. 

Ooof, Rebbach won't want to see that again. Guridi's flick sets him away down the left and he races into the box...only to kick the ball straight out for a goal kick. 

Kroos opts not to shoot and floats it to the far post...should've shot. 

Bellingham again goes down near the edge of the box but this time he does get a free-kick. This could be dangerous...

Brahim is really starting to look good in a white jersey, right? He skips in from the right and leads a dangerous attack, only for it to break down in the box with Modric. He'll never be much of a player, that guy...

Superb one-on-one defending from Rüdiger against Rebbach! The Alavés man thinks he's going to nip past the big German, who had other ideas and said "nein!"

Valverde looks to have caught whatever Modric had a minute or two ago. Another slack pass from the Madrid midfield. 

Alavés are starting to make a bit of an impact in attack but this time Rioja's pass is too firm for Gorosabal, who had got forward well from right-back. 

Hey, Jude, how did you get there? A Madrid attack looks set to peter out but Bellingham makes a late run and ALMOST gets on the end of Brahim's dink towards the penalty spot. 

Chance for Alavés!

It came to nothing in the end, but Guridi pulled the ball back to Rioja, who got a decent strike on it but saw his effort blocked by García. Promising. 

MODRIC MISPLACED PASS

Have my eyes deceived me? Luka Modric has just passed the ball to an Alavés player from five yards under absolutely no pressure. I need a lie down. 

Rüdiger looking to float one in behind for Rodrygo, but Gorosabel does well to get his body in the way and the ball runs out for a goal kick. 

Real Madrid doing all of the early running, as you might expect. 

Seconds later, Bellingham goes down on the edge of the box. Looked a foul, but nothing doing!

Sivera saves from Valverde!

Only a minute gone and Madrid cut Alavés wide open! Brahim slides in Valverde, whose angled drive is kept out by Sivera's feet!

Underway in Vitoria!

Here we go! Real Madrid get the ball rolling!

Real Madrid will be top at Christmas with a victory!

And, maybe the most important thing of all to remember...a win over Alavés means Real Madrid will be top of LaLiga at Christmas!

Real Madrid team to play Alavés

Kepa; Vázquez, Nacho, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Modric, Kroos, Bellingham; Brahim, Rodrygo. 

Alavés team to play Real Madrid

Sivera; Gorosabel, Abqar, Marín, Duarte; Guevara, Blanco, Guridi; Rebbach, Omorodion, Rioja. 

Just a few minutes to go until kick off! Let's take another look at how the teams will line up.

LALIGA

Alavés - Real Madrid: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | LaLiga

Still looking for a way to watch today's game? If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and Fidel is here with the details! 

Just be sure to stick with me too, please!

Watch Alavés vs Real Madrid live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

Alavés - Real Madrid: last five meetings

February 2022: Real Madrid 3-0 Alavés

August 2021: Alavés 1-4 Real Madrid

January 2021: Alavés 1-4 Real Madrid

November 2020: Real Madrid 1-2 Alavés

July 2020: Real Madrid 2-0 Alavés

Two wins in 20 games against Madrid for Alavés. 

Real Madrid warm-up underway!

Time for the boys in blanco to warm up and they'll need it! Contrary to popular belief, Spain is not always hot, especially the north. 

Real Madrid: last five games

17 December: Real Madrid 4-1 Villarreal (LaLiga)

12 December: Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid (Champions League)

9 December: Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)

2 December: Real Madrid 2-0 Granada (LaLiga)

29 November: Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli (Champions League)

Alavés: last five games

18 December: Girona 3-0 Alavés (LaLiga)

9 December: Alavés 0-1 Las Palmas (LaLiga)

6 December: Terressa 0-1 Alavés (Copa del Rey)

3 December: Mallorca 0-0 Alavés (LaLiga)

24 November: Alavés 3-1 Granada (LaLiga)

Real Madrid can go top of LaLiga after Girona draw!

Remember how I said Girona were leading Real Betis 1-0? Well, they were hit by a late sucker punch, with Argentine defender Germán Pezzella scoring a last-minute equaliser in Seville. That means Real Madrid will be top of LaLiga at Christmas if they win against Alavés.

Real Madrid given European Super League boost

Aside from today's on-field action, Real Madrid have also been in the news in relation to today's ruling by the European Court of Justice that UEFA and FIFA have no right to block clubs or players from playing in a proposed European Super League. We've got a whole host of pieces related to the "new" ESL, which has already been put forward:

The ESL project and it's 10 principles

Reactions to today's ruling

The proposed new format

How much LaLiga and its clubs would lose if Real Madrid and Barcelona joined the ESL

European Super League gets EU boost

Kepa returns in goal for Real Madrid

I said before Real Madrid had made two changes but I should've stressed those are two outfield changes. Kepa is also back in goal after a recent injury, replacing Andriy Lunin, who has played the last seven games. He might never do that again for Real Madrid...

Real Madrid goal getter Jude Bellingham keeps going

"Nah, there's no way Jude Bellingham can keep his scoring form up!" Well, I've got news for you, lads and lasses, he's doing just that. 17 goals in 20 games for the Englishman, including 13 in 15 in LaLiga. He's not even a striker, did you know...?

What happened in Real Madrid's last game?

Was it Real Madrid's best performance of the season? Not too far off it, I'd suggest. After a series of fairly narrow wins, Carlo Ancelotti's side had little bother in dealing with Villarreal. Jude Bellingham (who else?) opened the scoring, with Rodrygo, Brahim Díaz and Luka Modric joining the party in a 4-1 win at the Bernabéu. 

What happened in Alavés' last game?

Alavés were Girona's most recent victims in their last game, losing 3-0 in Montilivi. They're neither the first team, and won't be the last, to be turned over by the Catalans this season. That was El Glorioso's second defeat in a row and means they've picked up only two points in nine away matches this season. Ouch.

Alavés team to play Real Madrid

Here's the Alavés team to take on Real Madrid. Casual LaLiga watchers may remember Samu Omorodion, who absolutely tormented Barcelona in Montjuïc a few weeks ago, scored inside 20 seconds and then missed three clear-cut chances that would've killed the game off. 

Sivera; Gorosabel, Abqar, Marín, Duarte; Guevara, Blanco, Guridi; Rebbach, Omorodion, Rioja. 

LALIGA

Why are Vinicius and Courtois not playing for Real Madrid against Alavés in LaLiga?

I mentioned a little earlier that I'd dive in a bit deeper on Real Madrid's fitness issues and I'm a man of my word. 

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-backs Eder Militão will do well to play again this season, while another defender, David Alaba, isn't expected to be back until 2024-25. 

Dani Carvajal, Vinícius, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy should be back well before their teammates but are still a few weeks away. Arda Güler has yet to make his debut but is back in training, with his first appearance likely to come in January. 

Calum is here with even more on Vini and Courtois, two of Madrid's main men. 

Alavés arrive at Mendizorroza

Well that was short (not sure I'd call it sweet, either). Alavés are in the building and looking for their first home win over Real Madrid since October 2018, when they defeated Julen Lopetegui's side 1-0. He didn't last much longer...

Real Madrid make two changes to play Alavés

If you missed it a little earlier (and there's every chance, as it came so early), Real Madrid have already announced their team to play in Vitoria. 

There are two changes, both in defence, with club captain Nacho replacing the injured David Alaba in central defence, while Fran García comes in for Ferland Mendy, also crocked, at left-back. 

Kepa; Vázquez, Nacho, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Modric, Kroos, Bellingham; Brahim, Rodrygo. 

Mendizorroza hosts Alavés - Real Madrid

If you're a Spanish speaker, "Mendizorroza" is quite fun to say. If you're not, it's potentially a bit of a tongue twister. It's known as one of the more raucous grounds in Spain and all four of Alavés' league wins this season have come in Vitoria. However, they've also lost to Athletic Club, Osasuna and Las Palmas on their own patch. 

LALIGA EA SPORTS

Barcelona - Almería summary: Sergi Roberto, score, goals & highlights | LaLiga EA Sports

I know every time you talk about Real Madrid you don't have to mention Barcelona, but since their name has caught my attention in the standings down below...They were pretty hopeless (again) against Almería on Wednesday but squeaked over the line to win 3-2.They could start 2024 nine points behind Girona and seven adrift of their arch rivals. 

Don't agree with my assessment? Even Xavi does...

How the LaLiga table looks: Real Madrid

This table should actually have a little asterisk next to it as Girona and currently playing against Real Betis, and winning...AGAIN! Unbelievable stuff from the Catalans, just not the Catalans you'd expect. Michel's men are a goal to the good at half time in that one, I'll let you know how it ends. If it stays that way, Real Madrid could be five points off top before kick off in Vitoria, which is mad considering how consistent they've been of late. 

13 wins, three draws and just one defeat for Los Blancos in LaLiga this season. 

How the LaLiga table looks: Alavés

Without wanting to be patronising, we don't tend to expect Alavés to challenging for the league title, do we? They are currently in 15th spot, three points clear of the relegation zone. I'm going to suggest they would probably be quite happy with that come the end of the season, although feel free to disagree with me, Alavés fans (don't go in too hard, though, please). 

Four wins, four draws and nine defeats so far (yet they are still level on points with Europa League supremos Sevilla). 

Real Madrid squad news: Vinícius and Courtois still out

Who's unavailable for Real Madrid? How long have you got? 

The short version of the story is: 

Vinícius Júnior, Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler.

I'll maybe go into the longer version in a moment.

Alavés squad news: Giuliano Simeone out

I'm not expecting any team news for Alavés for a good while yet, but I can tell you they'll be without attacker Giuliano Simeone, son of Real Madrid-hating (we can only assume) Atlético Madrid boss Diego. Shame, that would've been a good story. 

Defender Aleksandar Sedlar is a long-term injury victim too. 

Real Madrid team to play Alavés

As always, Carlo Ancelotti has named his team ridiculously early. Two changes from the team that comfortably beat Villarreal at the weekend, with Nacho and Fran García coming in at the back for David Alaba and Ferland Mendy. 

Kepa; Vázquez, Nacho, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Modric, Kroos, Bellingham; Brahim, Rodrygo. 

What time does Alavés - Real Madrid kick off?

We’ll all have to wait just a teeny, tiny bit though, as the clash in Vitoria gets underway at 9:30 p.m. local time, which is 3:30 p.m. ET and 12:30 p.m. PT. Let’s hope you’ve decided to work from home today (those of you who can)…

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Alavés - Real Madrid!

It’s the last LaLiga action of 2023 (along with Mallorca vs Osasuna) and we’re here for it! Real Madrid travel to Mendizorroza looking for an early Christmas present in the Basque Country, but will lowly Alavés leave them with red faces (and noses) as they look to cause an upset? This is soccer, which means stranger things have most certainly happened.

I’m Roddy, thanks for joining me for this one!