Real Madrid closed out 2024 with a resounding 4-2 victory over Sevilla at Santiago Bernabéu on December 22nd, solidifying their position as vice-leaders of La Liga, just one point shy of Atlético Madrid. With this win, the Merengues surpassed Barcelona, who fell to third place, showcasing their dominance as they move forward with aspirations for the title.
The match began with high energy, and within just ten minutes, Kylian Mbappé ignited the crowd with a spectacular goal. Receiving the ball at the edge of the area, he unleashed a powerful strike, hitting the net and sending fans wild. Federico Valverde quickly followed, netting another stunning goal from long range at 20 minutes, extending Real Madrid's lead.
Rodrygo joined the scoring fun at the 34-minute mark, tapping home after some great build-up play involving Lucas Vázquez. Despite being behind by three goals, Sevilla refused to back down; Isaac Romero made his presence felt just one minute later, heading home from close range and giving the visitors hope.
Real Madrid was not finished yet. Coming out strong after halftime, they struck again early, with Brahim Díaz finding the back of the net thanks to superb setup play from Mbappé. This goal put Madrid comfortably at 4-1. Sevilla's Lukebakio managed to pull one back late at 85 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to sway the outcome.
The victory not only brought joy to Real Madrid’s supporters but also ushered out Sevilla's famed veteran defender, Jesús Navas, who played what was announced as his final match. The stadium stood to applaud his magnificent career, celebrating his contributions to both club and country.
Following this match, Real Madrid is set to face Valencia away on January 3rd, aiming to maintain their upward momentum. Meanwhile, Sevilla will shift focus to their Copa del Rey match against Almería on January 4th, and then back onto league duties on January 11th against Valencia.
This win marked not just a significant moment for Madrid's title pursuits, but also underlined Sevilla’s need for improvement as they currently sit at 12th position, with just 22 points collected over 18 matches this season.
With passionate performances and dramatic moments, the match will be remembered as another thrilling chapter in La Liga's storied competition, as teams jockey for position at the season's end.
