A centre-back was sent off, adding to his team’s long list of absentees. But late in the game, an unusual hero came up big and won all three points.

On Thursday night, Real Madrid was dragged into a rough game, and they had to work hard to win. And it looked like they would settle for a frustrating draw until Lucas Vazquez scored a shot in stoppage time to give them a 1-0 win.

This looked like a missed chance for Carlo Ancelotti’s team for a long time. They could go to the top now that Girona has lost points today. When Federico Valverde broke through on goal in the fifth minute, Madrid almost took the lead, but his shot went straight at the custodian. Later in the half, the Uruguayan player had another good chance, but his long-range shot was well blocked.

The game was clearly in the hands of Los Blancos until a hasty defensive move changed everything. Nacho, the backup centre back, stepped on Samuel Omorodion’s Achilles tendon and was quickly given a red card. Even so, Madrid had chances. Rodrygo curled one just a bit wider. It would have taken Bellingham only a few inches to score from a Vazquez cross.

While that was going on, Alaves couldn’t make the extra player matter, and the game kind of died down after the break. Vazquez scored an unplanned goal when the right back rose to meet a corner kick from Toni Kroos and awkwardly nodded the ball into the far corner.

This was ugly, and maybe it wasn’t even served enough. But Madrid got a big win, and now they’re on top of the table at Christmas.