Kylian Mbappé was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge in the first half of Real Madrid's nervy 1-0 LaLiga win over Alavés on Sunday.

Madrid had just taken the lead in the 34th minute with an Eduardo Camavinga goal -- after Raúl Asencio had an earlier goal disallowed for a foul -- when Mbappé was dismissed in the 38th minute for his tackle on midfielder Antonio Blanco.

The player count, however, was leveled in the second half after Vinícius Júnior was subjected to a similar foul by Manu Sánchez, who also was sent off.

Carlo Ancelotti's side could not afford to drop points in their bid to keep pace with Barcelona in the LaLiga title race.

Madrid's win leaves them four points behind leaders Barça, who won 1-0 at Leganés on Saturday.

Mbappé's red card was his first since joining Madrid last summer.

Previously, he was sent off three times for Paris Saint-Germain -- once in Ligue 1 and twice in cup competitions.

Mbappé's red added to Madrid's difficult week, in which they lost 3-0 at Arsenal in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday.