Real Madrid are at the top of the La Liga table on goal difference after Lucas Vasquez’s late header gave them all three points against Alaves.
Madrid failed to create opportunities and they looked like they were heading for a goalless draw with struggling Alaves.
Alaves came close in the 37th minute when Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde unleashed a thunderous strike from range that goalkeeper Antonio Sivera punched away.
Madrid midfielder Nacho got a straight red card in the 54th minute after a nasty tackle to Samu Omorodion’s ankle.
The Spanish powerhouse came closest in the 75th minute when Rodrygo barely missed the top left corner with a curling strike.
In the 91st minute, the crowd roared when Vasquez headed home Toni Kroos’s cross.
“This team has unknown energies,” Carlo Ancelotti told a press conference.
“It was a complicated match and with one man down… everyone thought that today would be a typical day for us to slip up.
“But we held on well with ten men, we defended well and, in the end, we were rewarded.”
