La Liga: Ten-man Real Madrid earn late win at Alaves

All over and that is a huge three points for Real Madrid to put them top of the pile going into 2024.

Real Madrid are seconds away from a big win but Rodrygo is having to go off injured here.

He is replaced by Dani Ceballos.

Into five minutes of stoppage time and Real Madrid have a corner.

A disappointing header from the corner by Nahuel Tenaglia, not enough power and not on target anyway.

Real Madrid lose the ball inside their own half and Luis Rioja turns towards goal. He shoots but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.

It has got the crowd going.

Now this could have been interesting.

Jude Bellingham is booked for sliding in late on Nahuel Tenaglia. Bellingham was initially marked as being shown a yellow card in the first half but it has since transpired that was instead shown to someone in the dugout.

So that's Bellingham's first booking and he stays on.

Rodrygo goes for goal after making space for himself just inside the box but it is a comfortable save for the goalkeeper.

Into the final eight minutes, will we have a winner? It is pretty open now and could go either way.

The hosts make a double change for the closing stages with Kike García and Nahuel Tenaglia on for Samu and Andoni Gorosabel.

Real Madrid make another change as former Alaves player Joselu is on for Brahim Díaz.

A mixed reaction for Joselu, who spent three seasons at the hosts.

Lots of space for Rodrygo to run into down the left, he then turns into the box before driving a shot just wide.

Important clearing header by Rafa Marin with Jude Bellingham lurking inside the box.

The game is opening up a bit.

Just under 20 minutes to go and Alaves makes a change with Álex Sola on for Abde Rebbach.

Real Madrid continue to come forward and Brahim Diaz tries his luck from the edge of the box but he sweeps a shot wide, slipping as he shoots.

Real Madrid have a corner and Toni Kroos is again over it but his delivery into the box is cleared.

Still, the visitors continue to do all the attacking.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Real Madrid are actually doing most of the attacking at the moment.

There is, of course, still plenty of fantastic attacking threat in this Real Madrid side, despite being man down.

Jude Bellingham has the ball on the right, he twists and turns but his cross is poor and too close to the goalkeeper.

The hosts make a double change as Rubén Duarte and Jon Guridi are replaced by Javi López and Ianis Hagi.