Real Madrid scored a difficult victory over Deportivo Alaves 2-1, temporarily closing the gap with Barcelona at the top of the Spanish League, after Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior excelled in scoring. Moroccan international Abdel Samad Zalzouli emerged as a star during the match between Real Betis and Girona, with three decisive contributions in his team’s 3-2 victory, versus a goal from a penalty kick by his compatriot Azzedine Ounahi, in a stage full of excitement and struggle for European places.

Published on: 04/22/2026 - 00:15

Real Madrid regained its balance in the Spanish Football League after a series of four matches without a win in various competitions, after overcoming the obstacle of its guest Deportivo Alaves 2-1 in the thirty-third round, temporarily reducing the difference to six points with Barcelona, ​​the leaders and title holders.

Real Madrid regains its breath

Real Madrid's double came through Frenchman Kylian Mbappe in the 30th minute and Brazilian Vinicius Junior in the 50th minute, while Tony Martinez scored Alaves' only goal in stoppage time (90+3), raising the "Royal" score to 73 points, compared to 79 for Barcelona, ​​which hosts Celta Vigo, while Alaves' score froze at 33 points in seventeenth place on the verge of the relegation zone.

Real Madrid's lackluster performance continued in periods of the match, an extension of the recent period of decline that witnessed its exclusion from the Champions League against Bayern Munich 4-6 on aggregate, its draw with Girona 1-1, and its loss to Mallorca 1-2 in “La Liga.”

However, the effectiveness of Mbappe, who raised his tally to 25 goals in 28 league matches and 42 in 41 matches this season, and the brilliance of Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in the face of Martinez's attempts, sealed the three points despite pressure from Alaves, who responded to the post with a dangerous shot and header.

Al-Zalzouli shines in Real Betis’ victory

Moroccan international Abdel Samad Zalzouli stood out in Real Betis’ 3-2 victory away from Girona, after he set up the first goal for Marc Roca (24) and scored the second himself (63), then provided a decisive pass for substitute Rodrigo Riquelme, who scored the third goal (80), while Ukrainian Viktor Tsygankov scored the first goal for Girona early (7) and Moroccan Azzedine Ounahi added the second from a penalty kick (68), so Betis rose to the position. Fifth with 49 points, Girona stopped at 38 points in eleventh place.

The day's competitions concluded with Athletic Bilbao's victory over Osasuna 1-0 thanks to Gorka Gorosita's goal and a decisive save by goalkeeper Unai Simon of a penalty kick, leaving Bilbao with 41 points in ninth place, compared to 39 for Osasuna in tenth place.

While the 1-1 draw decided the confrontation between Real Mallorca and Valencia, raising Valencia to 36 points in thirteenth place, followed by Mallorca with 35 points in fourteenth place.

France 24/AFP

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