MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappe, who returned from injury on Sunday, scored to lead Real Madrid to a 2-1 win over Alaves in the Spanish league, taking the pressure off coach Xavi Alonso.
Rodrygo also scored as Real Madrid reduced the gap on leaders Barcelona to four points with a 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday.
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Real Madrid have won just two of their last eight games and suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League, sparking jeers from fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe, who missed Real Madrid’s game against Manchester City on Wednesday due to a minor injury, scored his 26th goal for Real Madrid in all competitions this season when he fired into the top corner from inside the penalty area in the 24th minute after an excellent run down the left wing.
Alaves equalized in the 68th minute through Carlos Vicente, but Rodrigo put the visitors ahead again from close range after a run and assist from Vinicius Junior.
This is Rodrigo’s second goal of the season. He scored for Madrid against Manchester City, ending the club’s nine-month goal drought.
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Vinicius Junior embraced Alonso after scoring in a rare public display of support from the Brazilian for the former Madrid man, who is in his first season as the club’s coach. The move comes after media reports suggested the coach had lost his dressing room.
Alaves remain in 12th place, having just beaten Real Sociedad.
Oviedo coach fired
Penultimate Oviedo sacked head coach Luis Carrion after losing 4-0 to Sevilla.
This result extended Oviedo’s winless record in all competitions to 10 games. Oviedo has not won a game since September’s 2-1 win over Valencia in the Spanish League.
Oviedo has 10 points from 16 games and Carrión leaves.
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Sevilla moved up to ninth place with 20 points.
Celta wins at home
Celta de Vigo won their first home league game of the season, beating seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao 2-0.
The result leaves the Vigo club in eighth place, one point behind Atlético.
Nico Williams missed a late penalty for Athletic.
Levante-Villarreal postponed
Levante’s match against Villarreal scheduled for Sunday was postponed due to heavy rain in the Valencia region. The alliance said the decision was taken following safety advice from local authorities following weather warnings issued in the area.
Villarreal is in third place with six consecutive league wins. Levante are bottom of the table and have lost five consecutive league games.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer