Real Madrid defeated Alavés 2-1 at the Mendizorroza stadium, in the match corresponding to the 16th matchday of La Liga. According to the Argentine News Agency, despite the victory as a visitor, the 'Merengue' placed second in the table, four points behind Barcelona. The two goals for the team led by coach Xabi Alonso were scored by Frenchman Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian Rodrygo. The only goal for the team led by coach Eduardo Coudet came from the Spanish Carlos Vicente Robles. In the first half, the home team tried to impose intensity and pressure on the opponent's field, while Real Madrid opted for ball possession and individual hierarchy to generate danger. As the minutes went by, the 'Merengue' began to take control of the match and found spaces to hurt the opposing defense. The opening of the scoreboard came at 24 minutes of the first half, when French striker Kylian Mbappé took advantage of an offensive play to define with precision and establish 1-0 in favor of the team led by Xabi Alonso. From the advantage, the visiting team managed the rhythm of the match and went to the break with the minimum difference in the result. In the second half, Alavés came out with a more aggressive attitude and managed to equalize the development of the game. That search had its reward at 23 minutes of the second half, when the Spanish Carlos Vicente Robles converted the equalizer goal for the team led by Eduardo Coudet. However, Real Madrid's response was quick and forceful, as at 31 minutes of the second half Brazilian Rodrygo appeared in attack to score the second goal for the Madrid team and put them back in the lead. In the final stretch of the match, the 'Merengue' knew how to sustain the difference and secured a key away victory, which allows them to be in second place in the table, four units from Barcelona, in the fight for the La Liga title. Sevilla FC thrashed Real Oviedo and climbed to ninth place in the standings. The four goals for the team led by coach Matías Almeyda were scored by Nigerian Akor Adams, Swiss Djibril Sow, Frenchman Batista Mendy, and Nigerian Chidera Ejuke. In the first half, Sevilla came out determined to impose conditions from the start and quickly managed to open the scoreboard. At 4 minutes of the first half, Nigerian Akor Adams converted the first goal of the match and set the direction of the game. With the advantage in their favor, Sevilla continued to dominate the actions and widened the difference at 22 minutes of the first half, when Swiss Djibril Sow appeared in the area to establish 2-0. The Andalusian team maintained control of the game and went to the break with a clear advantage in the result. In the second half, Sevilla sustained its offensive intensity and struck again at the start of the second half. At 6 minutes of the second half, Frenchman Batista Mendy scored the third goal and practically sentenced the development of the match. With the result in their favor, the Seville team managed the game, but still had time to extend the rout. At 44 minutes of the second half, Nigerian Chidera Ejuke converted the fourth goal and sealed the victory for the team led by Matías Almeyda, which with this victory climbed to ninth place in the standings. On the other hand, Celta de Vigo defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0.
