Mbappe's Red Card Overshadows Real Madrid's Narrow Win

In a tense match at Estadio de Mendizorroza on April 13, 2025, Real Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Deportivo Alaves, but the game was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving star forward Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman received a red card in the 38th minute for a brutal foul on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco, leaving his team to navigate the remainder of the match with ten players.

The match began with Real Madrid looking to bounce back from a challenging week that saw them suffer defeats to Valencia (1-2) and Arsenal (0-3) in the Champions League. The pressure was on, and the team needed a win to keep pace in the title race against Barcelona, who had just defeated Leganes 1-0 earlier in the day.

Eduardo Camavinga opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 34th minute with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area, giving the visitors a crucial lead. However, just four minutes later, the game took a dramatic turn. Mbappe, in a reckless moment, lunged at Blanco with a straight leg, making contact with the midfielder's shin. Initially, referee Cesar Soto Grado issued a yellow card, but after consulting VAR, he upgraded the punishment to a red card, sending Mbappe off the pitch.

Commentators and fans alike were shocked by Mbappe's decision to make such a dangerous challenge. "What was Mbappe thinking? That was a scandalous foul," remarked Sebastian Chabiniak from Eleven Sports. Others echoed similar sentiments, questioning the rationale behind the star's actions. The incident not only put Real Madrid at a disadvantage but also raised questions about Mbappe's mental state during the match.

As the match progressed, Alaves struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Despite being a man up, the home side failed to create significant scoring opportunities. In the 70th minute, the teams were once again evened out when Alaves defender Manu Sanchez received a red card for a foul on Vinicius Junior, leaving both teams with ten men.

Real Madrid managed to hold onto their slim lead, with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny making crucial saves to deny any late attempts by Alaves. The victory brought Real Madrid's points total to 66, keeping them four points behind Barcelona in the league standings. With seven matches left in the season, the race for the title remains tight.

Mbappe's red card comes with significant consequences. He is set to face at least a one-match suspension, but given the nature of his foul, it is likely that the disciplinary committee will impose a longer ban. This would put his participation in the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in jeopardy, a match that is crucial for both teams as they vie for silverware.

The French forward is also in a heated competition for the top scorer title in La Liga, trailing Robert Lewandowski by three goals. With the season winding down, every match counts, and his absence could prove detrimental to Real Madrid's hopes of reclaiming the title.

Post-match, coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was suspended for this game and replaced by his son Davide, expressed his disappointment over the incident. "We had a plan, and Kylian's actions disrupted everything. We need to maintain our focus and discipline in these crucial moments," he stated.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid will need to regroup quickly. They face Athletic Club in their next league match, where they will aim to maintain pressure on Barcelona. Meanwhile, Alaves will be looking to build on this performance as they continue their fight against relegation, currently sitting in 17th place.

As the season approaches its climax, every point is vital, and with the stakes so high, teams cannot afford mistakes. For Kylian Mbappe, this red card may serve as a wake-up call, reminding him of the responsibilities that come with being one of the sport's brightest stars.

In conclusion, while Real Madrid celebrated their hard-fought victory, the shadow of Mbappe's reckless foul looms large, raising questions about his future contributions to the team during this critical juncture of the season.