Real Madrid continued their dominant run in La Liga, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric emerged as the unlikely hero, silencing the Andalusian side with a stunning late strike.
Tight First Half Sees Sevilla Threaten
Despite missing key players like Jude Bellingham and Joselu due to injuries, and Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal serving suspensions, Sevilla started brightly. Early pressure saw Youssef En-Nesyri miss a golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead. Real Madrid, lacking their usual fluidity in attack, struggled to find their rhythm initially.
VAR Drama and Frustrations
The opening ten minutes witnessed a controversial disallowed goal. Lucas Vazquez’s strike found the back of the net, but VAR intervened to rule it out for a foul by Nacho on En-Nesyri in the build-up. This decision sparked jeers from the home crowd and earned Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti a yellow card for his animated protests.
Second Half Sees Valverde Shine, But Goal Eluded Madrid
The second half saw a more lively performance from Real Madrid. Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde was particularly impressive, forcing a save off the post and hitting the crossbar with powerful attempts in the first half. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo also threatened the Sevilla defense but couldn’t convert their chances.
Modric Magic Seals the Deal
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, 38-year-old Modric, introduced as a late substitute, turned the tide in the 81st minute. His curling strike from outside the box found the bottom corner, leaving Sevilla goalkeeper Bono helpless. The celebrations were slightly dampened by angry protests from Sevilla players who claimed offside in the build-up, but the referee dismissed their appeals.
Post-Match Reactions
Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s fighting spirit and relentless pursuit of victory. “We deserved the win,” he said. “We kept up the intensity until the very end, and this is what happens when you achieve that.”
Modric, the match-winner, echoed his coach’s sentiment. “We proved that we never give up,” he stated. “That is in Real Madrid’s DNA. We would have preferred to score earlier, but it’s even more thrilling when it comes late.”
Other La Liga Roundup
Barcelona continued their recent resurgence with a convincing 4-0 win over Getafe on Saturday. Recent loan signings Joao Felix and Raphinha opened their accounts for the Blaugrana, while Frenkie De Jong and Fermin Lopez also found the net.
- Bottom-placed Almeria grabbed a dramatic 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid. The Rojiblancos, struggling domestically and in the Champions League, remain fourth but are now 13 points adrift of the leaders.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s victory over Sevilla extends their unbeaten run in La Liga to an impressive 20 games. Luka Modric’s late goal ensured they maintain an eight-point lead at the top of the table. While Barcelona continue to impress under Xavi, the title race seems to be slowly slipping away unless Real Madrid falter in the remaining matches.
