Defending champions Real Madrid secured a nervy 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga on Sunday after a reckless foul by Kylian Mbappe had them reduced to 10 men late in the first half, Reuters reported.
Eduardo Camavinga gave Real the lead in the 34th minute, scoring from outside the box with a brilliant curled shot, after an earlier goal by Raul Asencio was ruled out following a VAR check.
Mbappe's violent tackle on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco left Real a man down before halftime. The player count, however, was level in the second half after Vinicius Jr was subjected to a similar foul by Manu Sanchez, who also was sent off.
Second-placed Real have 66 points from 31 games and are four points behind leaders Barcelona, who edged Leganes 1-0 on Saturday, according to Reuters.
Real, who on Tuesday were handed a shock 3-0 loss at Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, have struggled in all competitions this month as they still try to cut the gap to Barca.
