Lucas Vazquez scored a header in the second minute of stoppage time to help Real Madrid win 1-0 at Alaves, thereby returning to the top of La Liga when Girona was held to a draw at Real Betis on Thursday.

Lucas Vazquez scored in the second minute of stoppage time to help Real Madrid win 1-0 at Alaves.

After Girona conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Real Betis, Real Madrid promptly won 1-0 at Alaves to regain the top spot after 18 rounds. Real Madrid won late despite playing with 10 people since the 54th minute after midfielder Nacho Fernandez received a straight red card for a harsh foul. Although they are equal at 45 points, Real Madrid ended 2023 in the leading position thanks to their superior head-to-head record. Defending champion Barcelona ranked 3rd, 7 points behind the leading position…

Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, the leaders of Real Madrid’s attack this season, were controlled for most of the match and coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team had a lackluster performance at Mendizorroza. Neither team created many significant scoring opportunities. After Nacho was sent off, coach Ancelotti was forced to replace Luka Modric with midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who filled Nacho’s position in the middle of the defense. Real Madrid is playing with a squad depleted by injuries, especially in defense. Last Sunday, David Alaba became the third Madrid player to tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also suffered similar injuries. And striker Rodrygo also had to leave the field in injury time of the year-end match due to another injury.

Real Madrid has only conceded 11 goals this season, the best performance of the tournament. This is the third consecutive defeat for Alaves, the team is ranked 16th, just 3 points away from the relegation zone. Real Madrid’s next match is at home against Mallorca on January 3. While Alaves visits Real Sociedad on January 2.

Girona conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Real Betis.

Previously, Girona opened the score with a penalty kick by Artem Dovbyk in the 39th minute, but the home team equalized thanks to German Pezzella in the 88th minute. This is only the second time Girona has not won in 12 matches. closest in every arena. They have won 8 of the last 9 matches in La Liga, including a shocking 4-2 win at Barcelona 2 rounds ago. A 3-0 loss to Real Madrid at home in September was the team’s only loss so far this season.

But, Girona’s loss of points is not surprising as Real Betis is a team competing for European places, and has yet to lose at home in the tournament. Girona captain Aleix Garcia said: “In the end, the goal was very disappointing, we thought we had won. But we have to take this point seriously, they put a lot of pressure here. We must maintain this dynamism and recharge for what lies ahead.” Girona’s next match is also predicted to be difficult, meeting 4th ranked team Atletico Madrid at home on January 3.

The 6th ranked team, Sociedad, could not get more points because they only drew 0-0 against host Cadiz, which was threatened with relegation. Sociedad has now not won in 3 consecutive matches. Cadiz are in 17th place, just outside the relegation zone, and are winless in 16 consecutive matches in all competitions.

Mallorca came back to beat Osasuna 3-1 at home. It was Mallorca’s second victory in the last three matches, helping the team rise to 14th place. Osasuna, currently in 13th place, has only won one of the last eight matches.