Game overview and early drama
Fans packed the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium for a La Liga clash that turned into a test of nerves. The home side started with a full backline, but just twelve minutes in defender Loïc Badé was shown a straight red for pulling back Kylian Mbappé during a promising breakaway. The referee called it a clear‑cut chance, leaving Sevilla with ten men for the rest of the half.
Even with the advantage, Real Madrid found it hard to break down a compact defense. Possession charts showed the visitors dominating the ball, yet chances were few. Mbappé and youngster Endrick both saw shots blocked or forced wide, and the first half ended dead‑locked at 0‑0.
Second‑half setbacks and the breakthrough
Just three minutes after the restart, substitute Isaac Romero added another blow to Sevilla’s hopes. A studs‑up challenge on Aurélien Tchouaméni earned him a straight red, slashing the home side down to nine men for the final 42 minutes. The odds tipped heavily in Madrid’s favour, but the game remained tense, with both teams wary of a slip‑up.
The deadlock finally shattered in the 75th minute. Luka Modrić, ever the midfield maestro, threaded a precise pass to Mbappé, who struck from outside the box with his right foot. The ball curled into the bottom left corner, slipping past goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland after the Frenchman had earlier rattled the crossbar.
Sevilla tried to stay in the game, but with two men fewer they could not mount any serious threat. The final blow came in the 87th minute when Gonzalo García slipped a headed ball into the box for Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder rounded the keeper and slid the ball home from close range, sealing the win.
Beyond the goals, the match highlighted the depth of the Madrid squad. Missing Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo, Carlo Ancelotti had to rely on a mix of veterans and emerging talent. The win kept the club within touching distance of the top three, while Sevilla slipped further into the lower half of the table, their season now marred by discipline issues.
In the wider context, Barcelona had already clinched the La Liga crown earlier in the week after a 2‑0 triumph over Espanyol, rendering the title race effectively closed. For Madrid, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum in the final fixtures and ensuring that the squad stays injury‑free.
