Real Madrid hosted Sevilla at the Bernabeu on Sunday, looking to move up the La Liga table and close the gap on leaders Atletico Madrid. The match was the final game of Jesus Navas’s career. The Sevilla winger received a standing ovation and a guard of honour from both teams.
Lineups
Real Madrid’s lineup included Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, and Kylian Mbappe.
Sevilla’s lineup featured Alvaro Fernandez, Jesus Navas, Gonzalo Montiel, Tanguy Nianzou, Marcos Acuna, Joan Jordan, Fernando, Bryan Gil, Juanlu Sanchez, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Dodi Lukebakio.
How the Match Unfolded
The match got off to a flying start, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a thunderbolt from outside the box in the 10th minute. The French striker’s powerful shot left Alvaro Fernandez with no chance, and Real Madrid took an early lead. Federico Valverde added a second goal from long-range, his fifth from outside the box this season, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. Rodrygo made it 3-0 in the 34th minute, finishing off a cross from Lucas Vazquez.
Sevilla pulled one back immediately, with Isaac Romero heading in a cross from Juanlu Sanchez, but Real Madrid’s three-goal cushion was restored after the restart. Brahim Diaz scored the fourth goal, finishing off a clever move involving Mbappe and Vazquez. Dodi Lukebakio scored a consolation goal for Sevilla, making the final score 4-2.
FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 4-2 SEVILLA
— Football Videos (@BarcaEvadon) December 22, 2024
• Mbappe K.
• Valverde F.
• Rodrygo
• Romero I.
• Diaz B.
• Lukebakio D.
Goal fest at the Bernabéu as Real Madrid Edge Out Sevilla 4-2
pic.twitter.com/bDDOU7SZuh
The match had several exciting moments, including a standing ovation for Jesus Navas, who played his final game for Sevilla. The 39-year-old winger was visibly emotional as he left the pitch, and his teammates and opponents alike paid tribute to his illustrious career. Real Madrid’s win was also marked by several impressive individual performances, including Mbappe’s goal and assist and Valverde’s powerful strike from distance.
Post-Match Analysis
The win moved Real Madrid to second place in La Liga, two points clear of Barcelona and just one point behind Atletico Madrid. Mbappe’s goal and assist were key to the victory, as he continues to find his form after a slow start to the season.
The French striker has now scored six goals in his last eight games, and his partnership with Valverde and Rodrygo is looking increasingly formidable. Sevilla, on the other hand, remain in 12th place, with 22 points from 15 games. Despite the defeat, the Andalusian side showed glimpses of their attacking potential, with Lukebakio and Romero scoring impressive goals.
The result has significant implications for the LaLiga title race, with Real Madrid now firmly in contention. Atletico Madrid’s lead at the top of the table has been cut to just one point, and Barcelona are now three points adrift. The winter break is a good time for Real Madrid, who can reflect on a strong first half of the season and look forward to a challenging second half.
What the Coaches Said
Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s performance, saying they had played well and deserved the win. “We played a good game, with a lot of intensity and quality,” he said. “We scored four goals and could have scored more.“
Sevilla’s coach, Jorge Sampaoli, lamented his team’s slow start, saying that they had given Real Madrid too much space to play. “We started the game badly, and Real Madrid took advantage of that,” he said. “We improved in the second half, but it was too late.”
Player of the Match
Kylian Mbappe was the standout player, scoring one goal and assisting another. His thunderbolt from outside the box was a highlight of the match, and he continues to show why he is one of the most feared strikers in the world.
What Next
Real Madrid will head into the winter break in second place, just one point behind Atletico Madrid. They will look to build on this momentum when they return to action in January. Sevilla, on the other hand, will look to regroup and push up the table in the second half of the season.
La Liga Top Six Table
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