Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde both scored excellent goals for Real
Real Madrid are in second place in LaLiga, one point behind Atletico Madrid
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By SHIFA JAHAN, REUTERS
Published: 14:20 EST, 22 December 2024 | Updated: 14:20 EST, 22 December 2024
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe netted the opener and set up another goal as the hosts beat mid-table Sevilla 4-2 on Sunday to move up to second place in LaLiga and close the gap on Atletico Madrid to one point going into the winter break.
Federico Valverde and Rodrygo were also on target for Real, who raced into a 3-0 lead in 34 minutes while Brahim Diaz scored after halftime. Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla, who are 12th in the standings.
The victory moved Real to 40 points, two points clear of Barcelona, who are third and have played a game more than the two teams from Madrid.
'I know I can do much more. I have the legs for that,' said Mbappe, who struggled after moving to Real in the close season but has scored six goals in his last eight games.
'I think we know each other better, I have joined the team and that changes many things and now the adaptation, as the manager (Carlo Ancelotti) says is over,' he added.
'I feel good in the team and we can see on the field that I understand my teammates better and we always play better.'
Kylian Mbappe scored and provided an assist as Real Madrid won 4-2 against Sevilla
Mbappe opened the scoring for Real with a superb strike in the tenth minute of the game
Federico Valverde found the net from distance as he got Real's second goal of the game
Mbappe scored with a thunderbolt from outside the box in the 10th minute and before Sevilla could recover Valverde also pulled the trigger from long-range that gave Sevilla goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez no chance.
Valverde's effort was his fifth goal from outside the box in all competitions for Real this season, which is more than any other player from Europe's top five leagues.
Rodrygo fired home the third in the 34th minute from a cross by Lucas Vazquez but Sevilla scored immediately after kick off when Romero headed in a cross from Juanlu Sanchez.
However, Brahim Diaz restored the home side's three-goal cushion eight minutes after restart when he finished off a clever move after Mbappe and Vazquez combined to set him up.
Sevilla managed to score another consolation when Peque Fernandez found Lukebakio making a run and made an incisive pass for the Belgian midfielder to score at the near post.
The defeat left the visitors in 12th spot on 22 points.
The match also marked the final game of Jesus Navas's career as the Sevilla winger heads into retirement.
The 39-year-old World Cup winner with Spain received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd as well as a guard of honour from both teams before the match.
MATCH FACTS
Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Camavinga, Ceballos (Guler 71), Valverde, Diaz, Bellingham (Asencio 77), Rodrygo (Modric 71), Mbappe
Subs: Lunin, Vallejo, Endrick, Garcia, Mendy, Mestre
Goals: Mbappe 10, Valverde 20, Rodrygo 34, Diaz 53
Booked: Valverde
Sevilla: Alvaro Fernandez, Angel Carmona, Bade, Gudelj, Salas (Montiel 86), Agoume, Lokonga (Bueno 86), Lukebakio, Romero (Garcia 74), Idumbo (Navas 65), Sanchez (Peque Fernandez 73)
Subs: Nyland, Ortiz, Suso, Flores, Iheanacho, Marcao, Saul
Goals: Romero 35, Lukebakio 85
Booked: Salas, Lokonga
Rodrygo celebrates following his goal for Real Madrid in their win against Sevilla
Brahim Diaz was also amongst the scorers as Real Madrid managed to take three points
An emotional Jesus Navas applauded supporters following the final game of his career
Isaac Romero scored for Sevilla but his team ended up suffering a defeat against Real Madrid
'I had never seen something like this in my life, in an opposing stadium. It felt like closing the circle,' Navas said.
'In the last minutes I was looking at the ground, remembering all the moments lived and the joys.'
Sevilla, sitting in 12th place, had won two of its last two games in all competitions.
Second-to-last Valencia salvaged a 2-2 home draw with Alaves, thanks to a goal by Dani Gomez eight minutes into second-half stoppage time after the visitors had taken the lead with Joan Jordan in the 88th.
The setback drew more protests from Valencia fans who have been unhappy with the administration of team owner Peter Lim.