Real Madrid player ratings vs Alaves: Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr help silence the Bernabeu boos as Blancos end winless run to keep slim La Liga title hopes afloat Real Madrid ended a four-match winless streak and kept their slim La Liga title hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr secured the win for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who narrowed the gap to leaders Barcelona to six points. The result provided a much-needed boost for Madrid as they continue their pursuit of the league title. The match began with Madrid struggling to impose themselves on the game, as Alaves, a team in relegation trouble, entered with confidence. Dean Huijsen had to make a crucial block to deny Lucas Boye after Alvaro Carreras was caught out by a long ball over the top. Andriy Lunin also made a key save to stop Toni Martinez’s low effort. Despite these early challenges, Madrid eventually broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. Mbappe’s 20-yard shot took a deflection off a defender, leaving Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera with no chance. The goal seemed to spark Los Blancos, with Mbappe continuing to test Sivera’s reflexes and Trent Alexander-Arnold firing narrowly over the bar. Eder Militao, however, had a missed opportunity when his header struck the crossbar before he was forced off due to an injury. Alaves remained a threat, with Martinez hitting the post and then seeing a volley saved by Lunin. Madrid’s dominance grew in the second half, and Vinicius Jr became the hero with a 25-yard strike that silenced the Bernabeu crowd. The goal shifted momentum, prompting Arbeloa to make tactical changes. Brahim Diaz immediately tested the Alaves defense with a shot cleared off the line, but Madrid’s rhythm dipped as they adjusted.#real_madrid #alvaro_arbeloa #vinicius_jr #kylian_mbappe #deportivo_alaves

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid Clash in Madrid Derby The match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid kicked off with high tension, as both teams vied for dominance in the capital. Real Madrid, led by manager Arbeloa, sought to maintain their lead in the league, while Atlético aimed to protect their pride. The game unfolded with intense action, featuring key moments that shaped the outcome. Early in the first half, Atlético’s Julian Alvarez tested Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Lunin, with a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold played a crucial role in setting up Vinicius Jr., whose first-half goal gave his team the lead. The Brazilian’s brace in the match highlighted his importance to Real Madrid’s attacking strategy. Atlético responded with a goal from Nahuel Molina, who scored a stunning long-range strike to equalize. The match saw several dramatic moments, including a controversial red card for Atlético’s Valverde after a direct challenge on Vinicius, which sparked a surge in Real Madrid’s momentum. The Spanish defender’s dismissal shifted the game’s dynamics, allowing Real Madrid to regain control. In the second half, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. secured a crucial penalty, converting it to restore the lead. The Brazilian’s performance was pivotal, as he not only scored but also orchestrated key plays throughout the match. Atlético’s efforts to respond were met with challenges, including a missed opportunity by Alvarez, whose shot hit the crossbar. The final score of 2-1 in favor of Real Madrid marked a significant victory for the team, with Vinicius Jr.’s brace and Molina’s equalizer playing central roles. The match showcased the competitive nature of the Madrid derby, with both teams displaying resilience and tactical adjustments.#real_madrid #vinicius_jr #atltico_madrid #julian_alvarez #trent_alexander_arnold

Manchester City v Real Madrid - as it happened Manchester City and Real Madrid clashed in the Champions League last-16 second leg at the Etihad Stadium, with Real advancing on aggregate after a dramatic 2-1 victory. The match, which ended in the 93rd minute, saw Real Madrid secure a 5-1 aggregate win following a first-leg result of 2-1. Vinicius Jr. was the standout performer, scoring both goals in the second leg to seal Real’s progression. The game began with Manchester City pressing high, but Real Madrid’s attacking prowess was evident early. Bernardo Silva’s red card in the 22nd minute for handball handed Real a numerical advantage, and the Spanish side capitalized swiftly. Vinicius broke the deadlock with a penalty, converting after a handball incident, and later added a second goal with a low strike into the corner of the net. Manchester City’s efforts to respond were hampered by their reduced numbers. Erling Haaland equalized in the first half with a clinical finish, but Real’s dominance in the second half proved decisive. Vinicius’s brace, coupled with Real’s disciplined defense, ensured their progression. Key moments included a disallowed goal for Real after a suspected offside, a missed chance by Haaland, and a crucial save by Courtois to deny a late equalizer. Substitutions, including the introduction of Mbappe and Camavinga, further bolstered Real’s attacking options. Despite a valiant second-half push by City, including a penalty saved by Courtois, Real’s ability to capitalize on their numerical advantage and Vinicius’s clinical finishing sealed their place in the quarterfinals. The result highlights the gap between the two sides in this tie, with Real’s tactical adaptability and individual brilliance proving decisive.#real_madrid #champions_league #vinicius_jr #manchester_city #etihad_stadium
Manchester City's Champions League dreams appear to be over after a disastrous return leg against Real Madrid | OneFootball ·17 de março de 2026 Manchester City's Champions League hopes were effectively extinguished in the return leg of their Round of 16 clash against Real Madrid, as the defending champions squandered a slim chance to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit. The match, held at the Etihad Stadium, saw City face an uphill battle from the outset, with a controversial penalty and a missed opportunity to level the tie leaving them with little chance of progressing. The visitors, Real Madrid, dominated the first half, capitalizing on City's defensive vulnerabilities. A key moment came in the 12th minute when Vinícius Jr. fired a shot that was deflected by Bernardo Silva into his own box. After reviewing the incident, the referee awarded a penalty, which Vinícius Jr. converted with a composed finish. The goal sent shockwaves through the home crowd, as City's hopes of a comeback seemed to vanish. Despite the early setback, City managed to equalize through Erling Haaland in the 34th minute. The striker, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired past Thibaut Courtois. The goal briefly reignited City's belief, but the aggregate score of 4-1 in favor of Real Madrid left little room for error. The result effectively ended City's Champions League campaign, as they now face elimination unless they pull off an improbable turnaround. Manager Pep Guardiola will have to address the defensive lapses that allowed Real to dominate the game, particularly in the first half. The defeat also marks a significant blow to City's title ambitions, as they now look to regroup for the remainder of the season.#real_madrid #vinicius_jr #pep_guardiola #manchester_city #etihad_stadium

Official: Vinicius, Endrick named in Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies With the FIFA World Cup in North America just months away, Brazil’s first international break of 2026 has arrived, as the team prepares for two friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States. The matches, scheduled for March 26 and March 31, will serve as a key opportunity for coach Carlo Ancelotti to test his squad ahead of the global tournament. Ancelotti has finalized the list of players selected for the U.S. trip, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and teenage sensation Endrick among the standout additions. The 25-year-old Vinicius, a central figure in Madrid’s attacking play, has been called up to bolster Brazil’s forward options. His recent form with Los Blancos has positioned him as a critical asset for the Selecao, though his international performances have occasionally fallen short of expectations. Endrick, the 19-year-old Brazilian winger on loan at Olympique Lyon, has also earned a spot in the squad. His impressive six-goal, four-assist tally in 12 appearances for Lyon has earned him recognition, and he will compete for a starting role in the No. 9 position. The young forward’s inclusion highlights Brazil’s focus on developing talent ahead of the World Cup. However, several key players are absent due to injury concerns. Rodrygo, who suffered an ACL rupture last month, has been ruled out of the tournament and will miss both friendlies. Eder Militao, another important defender, is also sidelined, leaving Ancelotti to rely on younger or less experienced options in key positions. The squad’s selection reflects a balance between experienced campaigners and emerging stars, as Brazil aims to refine its strategy for the 2026 World Cup.#real_madrid #vinicius_jr #carlo_ancelotti #endrick #fifa_world_cup

Las estadísticas coinciden: quien tiene que temer es el Celta, no el Real Madrid El Real Madrid vuelve a enfrentarse al Celta en Balaídos, un estadio donde el conjunto blanco ha dominado durante doce años. Desde la victoria del Celta por 2-0 en mayo de 2014, el Madrid no ha perdido en este recinto en la Liga española, registrando diez victorias y un empate en once visitas. Esta noche, el Celta busca romper esa racha, aunque la historia sugiere que será difícil. El club gallego ya demostró su capacidad para ganar fuera de casa al vencer al Madrid en el Bernabéu el 14 de diciembre, un triunfo que marcó su primer éxito en ese estadio desde 2006. El contexto del partido se complica por las lesiones en la plantilla del Real Madrid. Álvaro Arbeloa enfrenta una situación crítica: Mbappé, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Ceballos, Militao, Alaba, más Carreras, Huijsen y Mastantuono están fuera del partido. Solo nueve jugadores estarán disponibles, lo que obliga al entrenador a priorizar la lucha por la Liga. Con 60 puntos, el Madrid se encuentra a cuatro puntos del Barcelona, que lidera con 64. Si el Madrid no gana en Vigo y el Barcelona suma puntos, la distancia se ampliará. Además, el Madrid enfrentará al Manchester City en la Champions el miércoles, lo que convierte esta semana en una de las más exigentes de la temporada. El Celta, por su parte, llega al partido en una racha positiva. En los últimos siete partidos en Balaídos, el equipo ha ganado seis veces, con el único tropiezo ante Osasuna. Esta consistencia le permite al técnico Claudio Giráldez pensar en un triunfo histórico: si gana, se convertirá en el cuarto entrenador en la historia de LaLiga que logra dos victorias seguidas contra el Real Madrid. Los anteriores fueron Baltasar Albéniz en 1943, Ricardo Zamora en 1948 y Víctor Fernández en 1999.#real_madrid #celta_de_vigo #balados #claudio_girldez #vinicius_jr
