Real Madrid moved back to within six points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona with a 4-1 victory over Sevilla at the Bernabeu, their eighth successive home win in the competition.
Jose Mourinho’s side returned to domestic action after their dramatic 4-3 comeback against Roma in the UEFA Champions League. Barcelona’s latest victory on Saturday had increased the pressure on Real Madrid to keep pace with their rivals, and they responded with an emphatic result.
The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute through a superb finish from Arda Guler. Jude Bellingham switched play to Yan Diomande, who found the Turkish midfielder. Guler then sent a looping effort over Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the net.
Vlachodimos prevented Real Madrid from extending their advantage shortly afterwards, using an outstretched leg to deny Kylian Mbappe. The French forward was not to be denied for long, however.
Bellingham produced a brilliant backheel into Mbappe’s path, allowing the forward to accelerate into the area before displaying excellent footwork and finishing from close range. The goal came seven minutes after Guler had opened the scoring.
Sevilla had offered little threat before half-time, although Thibaut Courtois was forced into a strong one-handed save in stoppage time to keep out Lucien Agoume’s effort.
The visitors showed greater attacking intent after the interval when Felix Correia’s speculative shot took a deflection and looped over the crossbar. Real Madrid soon restored control, though, and added a third goal from the penalty spot.
Diomande played the ball through to Mbappe, whose heels were caught by Castrin inside the area. Referee Mateo Busquets awarded the penalty, and Mbappe calmly beat Vlachodimos with a Panenka.
Youssouf Fofana, on loan from AC Milan, attempted to bring Sevilla back into the contest, but Courtois again responded well to push away his shot from just outside the box.
Sevilla continued to press and were rewarded when Manuel Bueno capitalised on poor defending to score with a precise left-footed finish. Any hopes of a comeback lasted only two minutes, as Diomande followed up his impressive performance with a fierce strike to restore Real Madrid’s three-goal advantage.
The victory was Real Madrid’s sixth in their past seven matches in all competitions, with one defeat during that run. It also lifted them above Real Betis into third place, ahead of next week’s El Clasico against Barcelona.
Sevilla remain sixth after a third league defeat of the season. They have now gone 16 LaLiga meetings without beating Real Madrid, drawing two and losing 14.
Arda Guler was named Flashscore Man of the Match.
