Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both scored as Real Madrid ended a four-game winless streak by defeating Alaves 2-1 on Tuesday to move closer to Spanish league leader Barcelona.

The victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium left Madrid six points behind Barcelona, which was set to host sixth-placed Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

It was Madrid's first game since it was eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Madrid lost 2-1 at home in the first leg of the tie, and 4-3 in Germany in the second. The team's last two Spanish league matches had been a 1-1 home draw against Girona and a 2-1 loss at Mallorca.

"We have six games left," Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said.

"The goal is to win all of them, regardless of what happens. Every game counts."

It was a slow start for Madrid on Tuesday, and the crowd at the Bernabeu looked anxious as Alaves had a few early scoring chances. Some of the fans jeered as the team struggled and there were still some boos after the final whistle after Alaves scored a late consolation goal.

Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a shot that deflected off an Alaves defender and fooled goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. Mbappe, the league's leading scorer with 24 goals, hadn't found the net in a league game since February.

Vinicius added to Madrid's lead with a long-range strike in the 50th minute. The Brazil forward hadn't scored in his previous six games between club and country. He was among the players being jeered before and during the match. After scoring, he raised his hands in a gesture apparently apologizing to the fans, and there was some applause from the stands in return.

"Vinicius puts in a tremendous effort, carrying the team on his shoulders," Arbeloa said. "We can't deny his attitude. He never hides. He feels a deep connection to the club, and I'm happy when the fans reward him with applause."

Eduardo Camavinga, who earned his 150th win with Madrid, was also targeted by Madrid fans before and during the game.

Alaves, sitting one point above the relegation zone, pulled a goal back through Toni Martinez in second-half stoppage time.

Alaves has won only one of its last nine league matches. The lone triumph came at Celta Vigo in March.

Madrid and Brazil defender Eder Militao had to be replaced just before halftime with an injury that Madrid said did not appear to be serious.

Barca needs leaders

Barcelona requires leaders on the pitch if it is to achieve coach Hansi Flick's dream of winning the Champions League, the German said on Tuesday.

The 61-year-old was speaking a week after Barca's Champions League hopes were dashed for a second successive season — this time ousted in the quarterfinals by La Liga rival Atletico Madrid.

Flick — whose side went out in the semifinals last season to Inter Milan — guided Barcelona to a domestic double last term and his charges are on course to retain their league title.

Going into Wednesday's match against Celta Vigo, Barcelona was six points clear of Madrid following Los Blancos' win over Alaves.

"It is not an excuse, but at the business end of the campaign in March and April, it is very important to have all the players available," he said at a news conference ahead of the Celta Vigo game.

"Against Atletico we were missing Frenkie (de Jong) and Raphinha.

"Last year we had Inigo (Martinez), who was a great leader.

"We need these type of players, capable of providing leadership on the pitch, to speak up during matches, in the quarterfinals or semifinals of the Champions League, and to show the way."

Flick added that the team, largely made up of players who came through the club's youth system, was "young" and must "learn" from each defeat in order to progress.

"I believe we can do it, we have a fantastic team for the years ahead, and we must make the right decisions, notably in the transfer market," he said.

Flick would not go into any further detail on the type of forward Barcelona will be looking to recruit nor on his future in what he repeated would be his "last job".