Real Madrid moved to within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona after a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, one week before the two rivals meet. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, while Arda Guler also found the net. The result came despite the absence of suspended Vinicius Jr.
Real looked more fluid in attack than they had recently, with Guler once again driving their best moves. Sevilla’s Turkish international had a quiet start before he lifted the match into life.
Guler and Mbappe lift Real Madrid’s attack
Sevilla called for a red card after a clash between Guler and Peque Fernandez. Guler answered within minutes, taking Yan Diomande’s pass and drilling a shot into the top corner.
Mbappe doubled the lead in the 37th minute. He turned sharply to break clear and then calmly beat Odysseas Vlachodimos. Fede Valverde, back at right back under coach Jose Mourinho, made a vital block to stop Felix Correia shortly before the hour as Sevilla pushed for a way back.
Diomande and Militao complete Real’s afternoon
Diomande later pulled away from his marker and played Mbappe through on goal. Andres Castrin fouled the French forward, and Mbappe got up to convert the penalty that effectively ended the contest.
Substitute Manu Bueno pulled one back for Sevilla with a composed finish 10 minutes from time, after Mbappe gave the ball away deep in his own half. Two minutes later, Diomande restored Real’s three-goal cushion with a powerful strike. Eder Militao received a warm reception when he came on in the 85th minute, his first appearance since hamstring surgery in April.
Mourinho will see plenty to encourage him in one of the most complete displays of his second spell in charge. Real have now won three straight games in all competitions since the international break. They climbed to third on 21 points, one behind Atletico Madrid, while Sevilla sit sixth on 14.
Barcelona beat Betis 5-2 and other La Liga results
Earlier on Saturday, Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 to record their ninth win from nine games. Their league tally now stands at 39 goals. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring, and Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and substitute Dani Olmo also scored. Valentin Gomez and Ez Abde replied for Betis, who played much of the second half with 10 men after Facundo Bernal was sent off for head-butting Lamine.
Barcelona have 27 points, five ahead of Atletico Madrid, who won 1-0 at Espanyol. Elsewhere, Osasuna held off second-half pressure from Racing Santander to win 2-0 in Jagoba Arrasate’s first game back as manager. Ionut Radu made two flying saves to deny Alaves a point in a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo, and Real Sociedad won 5-2 at Malaga.
