In a dramatic showdown at the Mendizorroza Stadium, Real Madrid faced Deportivo Alaves on Matchday 31 of the 2024-25 La Liga season, just days ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal. The match saw a stunning turn of events when Kylian Mbappe received his first red card since joining Los Blancos, following a reckless challenge that left fans in disbelief.
Real Madrid opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a spectacular long-range strike from Eduardo Camavinga, who found the back of the net with a precise shot that left Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono with no chance. Camavinga's goal was a much-needed boost for Madrid as they aimed to regain momentum in the title race.
However, the match took a significant turn just minutes later. In the 36th minute, Mbappe lunged into a dangerous tackle on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco, catching him high on the ankle. Initially, referee Cesar Soto Grado issued a yellow card for the foul, but after a VAR review, he reversed his decision, deeming the challenge excessive. In a shocking moment for the Madrid faithful, Mbappe was shown a straight red card in the 38th minute, leaving Real Madrid down a man for the remainder of the match.
This red card marked a milestone for Mbappe, as it was his first since joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. Prior to this match, he had received three bookings in La Liga and one in the Champions League. Interestingly, the last time he was sent off at the club level was on April 27, 2019, during the Coupe de France final. Across his career, Mbappe has now received four red cards, all straight reds, with three occurring during his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain.
As the match progressed, Real Madrid struggled to maintain their lead with just ten players. Despite the numerical advantage, Alaves could not capitalize on the situation, failing to generate significant chances against a resolute Madrid defense. The home side, needing points to steer clear of relegation, found themselves unable to penetrate Madrid's backline effectively.
In the second half, the tension mounted as both teams sought to secure a decisive goal. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead, with his shot being expertly saved by Owono. Meanwhile, Alaves made several attempts to equalize, but their efforts were thwarted by a well-organized Madrid defense led by Thibaut Courtois, who was also cautioned for delaying the restart of play.
As the match reached its final stages, the referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, allowing Alaves a final chance to level the score. However, even with the extra time, they could not find the back of the net, and Real Madrid held on to their slim 1-0 lead.
The final whistle blew, confirming a hard-fought victory for Real Madrid. This win was crucial for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they look to keep their title hopes alive. The match ended with a score of 0-1, and Real Madrid celebrated a vital away win, despite the late-game drama surrounding Mbappe's red card.
Following the match, discussions surrounding the implications of Mbappe's suspension began to surface. If the ban extends to four or more matches, he could miss the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona. However, early reports from Diario AS suggest that the punishment may not be as severe, as the disciplinary code may apply in this case. Since Blanco did not suffer an injury from the challenge, Article 130 of the disciplinary code typically results in suspensions ranging from one to three matches.
In a surprising twist, a former referee has called for a more severe punishment, suggesting that Mbappe deserves a ten-game ban for his "brutal" challenge on Blanco. This statement has sparked further debate among fans and analysts regarding the severity of the tackle and the appropriate disciplinary measures. The football community is left to ponder the potential ramifications of this incident on both Mbappe's career and Real Madrid's upcoming fixtures.
As it stands, Real Madrid has now won 31 of their 37 encounters against Alaves in La Liga, showcasing their dominance in this fixture. Despite the challenges faced in the match, the victory is a significant step forward for Madrid, who are eager to regain their form as they head into the critical stages of the season.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid must navigate the next few weeks carefully, balancing their league commitments while preparing for the Champions League clash against Arsenal. With Mbappe's future uncertain due to the looming suspension, the team will need to rally together to maintain their competitive edge.
