Real Madrid rode their luck before scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to beat Real Valladolid in Santiago Solari's first match in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Substitute Vinicius Jr's effort took a wicked deflection to give Madrid the lead before Sergio Ramos converted a late penalty.
Madrid had gone five league games without a win before Saturday's match against Ronaldo-owned Valladolid, Solari's first in the league as interim boss.
Last week's 5-1 hammering to Barcelona cost Julen Lopetegui his job and Solari kicked off as the temporary coach with a comfortable Copa del Rey win in midweek.
However, the three points against Valladolid were far from comfortable.
The visitors, above Madrid in the table going into the game and in good form, could argue they had the better chances in the first half -- although Madrid dominated possession.
Los Blancos were jeered off by their own supporters at the break and Gareth Bale was whistled off in the second half when he was replaced by Lucas Vazquez.
Valladolid grew in confidence and twice hit the bar, through Alcaraz and Toni Villa, as they threatened to extend Madrid's losing streak in the league to four games.
But Madrid's luck changed in the last 10 minutes. Substitute Vinicius, a €50 million summer signing, cut in from the left and his wayward shot was deflected into the bottom corner.
Karim Benzema then took a tumble in the box and Ramos chipped home the resulting penalty to put the gloss and an undeserved win.
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Three points are three points but the performance is unlikely to aid Solari's chances of getting the job on a permanent basis -- something he has suggested he would like.