Real Madrid vs Sevilla Review
Real Madrid secured their third victory in a week, easing the pressure on manager Xabi Alonso by defeating Sevilla 2-0 at home in La Liga. This result extends Sevilla’s winless streak at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu to 19 consecutive visits. Since Real Madrid has won all 11 league games this season in which they scored first, the opening goal was crucial. Both teams missed excellent opportunities to take the lead within the first seven minutes. Rodrygo and Alexis Sánchez each delivered defense-splitting passes, but Fran García’s shot was saved by Odysseas Vlachodimos, and Isaac Romero lofted the ball over Thibaut Courtois only for it to narrowly miss the target.
Midway through the first half, Dean Huijsen headed a corner over the crossbar, and the visitors seemed set to keep the score level until halftime. However, in the 38th minute, Rodrygo delivered a free-kick from the right side, and Jude Bellingham jumped highest in the penalty area to give Los Blancos the crucial lead. Sánchez was eager to respond and attempted a spectacular bicycle kick just before halftime, but it struck the top of the net. Mbappé was left frustrated in the first 12 minutes of the second half as he fired two shots from excellent positions directly at Vlachodimos.
Sevilla kept Courtois busy, with the Belgian goalkeeper making two crucial saves each from Sánchez and Isaac Romero. However, the visitors’ dwindling hopes of securing their first away win in five matches suffered a setback midway through the second half when Marcão received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Bellingham. Matías Almeyda’s reorganized team relied on Vlachodimos to stay in the game, as he deflected a powerful Rodrygo shot onto the crossbar.
But five minutes before the end, when Juanlu Sánchez fouled the Brazilian inside the box, the goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Mbappé from scoring his 18th league goal of the season from the penalty spot. Although a second Madrid penalty was overturned by VAR, Real Madrid had done enough to secure their 11th home league win out of 12, while Sevilla have now lost six of their last nine matches.
