MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored in his return from injury on Sunday, leading Real Madrid to a 2-1 win at Alaves in the Spanish league to relieve some of the pressure on coach Xabi Alonso.
Rodrygo also scored as Madrid moved back within four points of leader Barcelona, which beat Osasuna 2-0 on Saturday.
Madrid had won only two of its last eight games in all competitions and was coming off a 2-1 home loss to Manchester City in the Champions League, prompting jeers from fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
“We are together in this, we keep fighting in the good and the bad moments,” Alonso said.
We started well and came away with the three points.
Alaves equalized through Carlos Vicente in a 68th-minute breakaway, but Rodrygo put the visitors ahead again from close range after a run and assist by Vinícius Júnior.
It was Rodrygo’s second goal of the season.
He had scored for Madrid against City to end a nine-month scoring drought with the club.
Vinícius Júnior hugged Alonso after the goal in a rare show of public support by the Brazilian toward the former Madrid player.
The gesture came after media reports said the coach had lost the locker room.