Kylian Mbappe scored a screamer and set up another as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday to move into second place in La Liga ahead of stuttering rivals Barcelona. After Atletico Madrid beat Barca on Saturday to take top spot at Christmas, Carlo Ancelotti’s side also took advantage with a comfortable home win that leaves them one point behind the leaders. Madrid coach Ancelotti said ahead of the visit to Sevilla that Mbappe’s adjustment period was over following his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, and the French striker proved his coach right with an excellent performance and scored his 14th goal of the season in all competitions.
Wedding ring Valverde also scored brilliantly from long range. Rodrigo Goes And Brahim Diaz in the protocol from the owners too.
Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla, although they were completely outplayed in veteran defender Jesus Navas’s last game for the club.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Madrid cleared the ball from behind and played it to Rodrigo on the left flank.
The Brazilian matched Mbappe on the edge of the box, needing one touch to control the situation, another to set himself up, and with a third furious shot he fired past the helpless Alvaro Fernandez.
Madrid’s second goal, 10 minutes later, was even better: Valverde fired into the top corner from more than 30 yards after a short corner.
Ancelotti’s side were at full strength and the third goal followed in the 34th minute. Lucas Vazquez passed to Rodrigo, who finished with aplomb.
Sevilla hit back a minute later, Romero nodding in Juanlo Sanchez’s cross after good work from Dodi Lukebakio.
Sevilla came out strong in the second half and Romero should have added a second, but he fired just wide. Thibaut Courtois when well located.
Instead, it was Madrid who extended their lead, with Mbappe making a superb pass to allow Diaz to finish the game.
Sevilla brought Navas on after the hour mark and was applauded by the Santiago Bernabeu, his 705th and final appearance for the club, far more than any other player.
Madrid and Sevilla players together provided a guard of honor for the retiring Spanish great – 2010 World Cup winner and two-time European champion – at the start of the game.
Navas, 39, won four Europa Leagues and two Copa del Rey trophies with Sevilla, but his latest spell ended in disappointment for the Andalusians, who lost in the Spanish capital.
Fernandez saved Rodrigo’s shot after Mbappe rounded the goalkeeper and passed the ball back to his Brazilian strike partner as Madrid looked for a fifth.
Lukebakio made a late return for Sevilla as Madrid completed an impressive year in which they were crowned Spanish and European champions with a good result.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
Leave a comment