VITORIA GASTEIZ: A stoppage time header by fullback Lucas Vazquez send 10-man Real Madrid to the top of La Liga with a 1-0 victory at lowly Alaves on Thursday, with defender Nacho handed his marching orders following a sliding tackle.

The win left Real on top of the standings on goal difference, level on 45 points with surprise package Girona who were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis earlier on Thursday. Barcelona are third on 38 points.

A toothless Real failed to create almost any opportunities as they looked to be heading towards a dull goalless draw against a rugged Alaves who are struggling standing on 17th place in the La Liga standings, but are tough to beat when roared on by their fans at the Mendizorroza stadium, having earned 13 of their 16 points playing at home.

They made it difficult for the Los Blancos, whose only real chance in the first half was when Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde unleashed a thunderous strike from range that goalkeeper Antonio Sivera punched away in the 37th minute.

But after loosing Nacho to a straight red in the 54th minute after an awful studs up sliding tackle to Samu Omorodion’s ankle, Real started to show signs of life.

While Alaves looked content to snatch a point from their giant rivals, Real were more purposeful going forward, missed some half chances and nearly drew first blood when Rodrygo barely missed the top left corner with a curling strike in the 75th minute.

But they finally scored one minute into added time when Toni Kroos lifted a corner to Vazquez who headed home from the crowded box.

A last-gasp goal and triumph that were passionately celebrated by Real players and staff, who let off steam after a troubled night and a narrow win.

“This team has unknown energies,” Real coach 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.”

In Seville, Artem Dovbyk’s first-half penalty, the Ukrainian’s 11th goal of the season, looked to have Girona heading for a fourth straight win and ninth victory in their last 10 matches.

But German Pezzella, a World Cup winner with Argentina, levelled with two minutes to play as Betis extended their unbeaten run to 13 games — nine of which have been draws.

Girona, the club part-owned by the owners of Manchester City, dropped points for only the fourth time in 18 games this season.

Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a smart double save from Willian Jose and Ayoze Perez in the first half before the visitors struck after Savio was fouled in the area by Aitor Ruibal. Dovbyk stepped up and cal­m­ly rolled home the spot-kick to continue his fine debut season in Spain.

But Girona, making an unlikely title push in only their fourth season in the top flight, failed to clear a late corner and Pezzella slammed the loose ball beyond Gazzaniga.

Elsewhere, Real Mallorca beat Osasuna 3-2 for just their third win of the season, sending them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2023