Rodrygo’s first LaLiga goal since January saw a lacklustre Real Madrid side claim a 2-1 win at Alavés, but the performance was unlikely to lift the pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso.
Kylian Mbappé put Madrid in front in the 24th minute, but they struggled to control the game before Carlos Vicente levelled in the 68th minute.
On Wednesday night Rodrygo had gone to Alonso to celebrate his goal in the 2-1 Champions League loss to Manchester City in what he called a show of solidarity, and in the 76th minute here he came to his boss’s aid once more with the winning goal.
Reports in Spain before kickoff had claimed anything short of three points would be the final straw for Alonso, but the manner in which they laboured to a win over a side only three points clear of the relegation zone will leave question marks.
Mbappé was back in the side after missing the loss to City through injury and the France star appeared to be struggling again in the very early stages as he complained of knee pain.
Even so, he was well enough to go close twice in the opening 10 minutes, first with a shot that went narrowly wide and then another just over the crossbar.
Rodrygo then squandered another chance as he pulled a shot wide in the 12th minute, but Madrid could not sustain that level of pressure as their initial onslaught tailed off.
They suddenly burst back into life to take a 24th-minute lead and it was perhaps inevitable that it would be Mbappé with his 70th Madrid goal. Rodrygo stole possession and fed Jude Bellingham, with the England midfielder teeing up Mbappé to do the rest.
The visitors thought they had a second moments later, but Bellingham had handled in controlling a corner before turning it in.
It remained unconvincing and the first half ended with Thibaut Courtois making an unorthodox save to deny Pablo Ibáñez, caught square in the face by his shot.
Madrid threatened to double their score early in the second half when Antonio Sivera made a double save, first denying Mbappé and then ensuring Vinícius Júnior could not capitalise on the rebound.
Again there was no sustained pressure from Madrid and Alavés were level in the 69th minute when Vicente used some excellent skill to control a through ball before beating Courtois, with the goal surviving a check for offside.
Raúl Asencio then had to make a late challenge to deny Lucas Boyé a clear shot in front of goal as Madrid came under real pressure, but having weathered that they retook the lead in the 76th minute.
Vinícius beat Jonny down the left and sent in a low cross for Rodrygo to finally end his long league drought.
It was sadly Rodrygo’s last major contribution as he went down in pain moments later and was forced off.
Madrid wanted a penalty in the 86th minute when Vinicius went down in the box, claiming a foul by Nahuel Tenaglia, but their claims were waved away and the decision was upheld after review before Brahim Díaz fired into the side-netting in stoppage-time.
