Deportivo Alaves 0-1 Real Madrid LIVE – La Liga result as both sides reduced to ten men after Eduardo Camavinga scores opener

Kylian Mbappe was sent off in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday, as Eduardo Camavinga’s goal closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points.

Real Madrid thought they scored the opener when Raul Asencio headed home Rodyrgo’s corner, before VAR called referee Cesar Soto Grado to review and ultimately disallow the goal for a foul on goalkeeper Jesus Owono by Antonio Rudiger.

The visitors would eventually take the lead ten minutes before half-time when a stroke of individual brilliance from Eduardo Camavinga saw a lovely effort from just the outside of the box find the back of the net and put Real Madrid ahead.

Things quickly took a turn just moments later when Los Blancos were reduced to ten men as frontman Kylian Mbappe saw a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Antonio Blanco changed to a red card after an intervention from VAR.

The home side themselves were reduced to ten men in the second half as VAR intervened once again for a dangerous studs-up tackle on substitute Vinicius Junior by Manu Sanchez.

Despite a level-playing field, Real Madrid struggled to threaten their relegation-threatened rivals to add to their lead but did enough to hold out for victory and close the gap on Barcelona to four points.

Next up, Real Madrid host Arsenal in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, April 16, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, before facing Athletic Club in La Liga on Sunday, April 20. Alaves travel to Sevilla on Sunday, April 20 in La Liga.

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With their second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal set to take place on Wednesday, April 16 and Carlo Ancelotti's men looking to overturn a 3-0 deficit on aggregate, the La Liga giants understandably looked subdued as they claimed an important win to stay in the title race.

A host of changes from Carlo Ancelotti's side, which saw Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior benched, lacked any potency in front of goal against a side battling for survival in Deportivo Alaves and they relied on a touch of individuality to finally break the deadlock - certainly not the picture of La Liga champions.

But the bigger question appears to be the consequences of Kylian Mbappe's straight red card just before half-time after a reckless challenge on Antonio Blanco.

Though Mbappe will be available to play against Arsenal, Real Madrid face the prospect of next three games at least without their French frontman, including games against Athletic Club and a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

Two red cards and a goal but Real Madrid claim all three points and close the gap to four points on Barcelona.

Santiago Mourino concedes a free-kick in what could be the final kick of the game for Real Madrid.

Thibault Courtois also sees his name go into the book for time wasting.

Vinicius Junior is shown a yellow card for a bad foul.

Another change for Real Madrid as they look to see the clock run out as Dani Ceballos comes on for Federico Valverde.

We're into SEVEN minutes added time.

Bellingham runs free on goal and is one-on-one with the Alaves goalkeeper but he's unable to chip his effort over and sees his effort saved by Owono.

Lucas Vazquez goes into the book - it's been one of those games where we haven't been short of fouls.

The resulting free-kick is saved by Courtois.

Carlos Protesoni comes on in place of Antonio Blanco.

Eduardo Camavinga is the next name to go into he box for a flying tackle on Vicente.

A win for Real Madrid would close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to four points and open a six point advantage on Atletico Madrid, who are in action tomorrow night against Valladolid.

As for Alaves, a defeat would mean they are just one point above the relegation zone after Las Palmas picked up an important three points against Getafe.

Nahuel Tenaglia is booked for a cynical foul on Bellingham.

Fran Garcia is replaced by Brahim Diaz.

And there are two changes for Alaves as Moussa Diarra and Ander Guevara come on for Joan Jordan and the injured Abdel Abqar.

Alaves have just had to defend a corner with nine men as Abdel Abqar is forced off the pitch to receive treatment.

That corner is unconvincingly cleared by Jesus Owono but the goalkeeper then goes down himself and the game is stopped for him to receive treatment.

As usual, Federico Valverde decides it's time to launch one from distance and test the Alaves goalkeeper but his effort is just wide of the goal.

It's all even - in terms of personel, that is.

Manu Sanchez has his studs showing as he brings down Vinicius Junior and the referee is told to go the screen yet again and has no choice but to show a red card to the Alaves player.

How will this change the game?!

But can they make the extra man count?

They once again start building up play by the half-way line and they force a corner off Fran Garcia. The corner is cleared and finds it's way to Antonio Blanco, who looks to cross the ball but ends up going for the shot himself, which Courtois claims.

Toni Martinez, who has just come on for our hosts, climbs the highest to meet a cross in the box by Carlos Vicente and direct a header goalwards, but it's lacking the power to do any damage and cause problems for Courtois.