Real Madrid secured a convincing 4-2 victory over Sevilla on Saturday, propelling them to second place in La Liga and closing the gap to leaders Atletico Madrid. This resounding win at the Santiago Bernabeu came on the back of standout performances, particularly from Kylian Mbappe, who scored and assisted goals.
The match saw Real Madrid capitalize on their momentum after Atletico Madrid edged past Barcelona earlier on the same day, marking the end to 2024 with Atletico on 41 points and Madrid closely following with 40.
With the season witnessing ups and downs, Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged his squad’s growing synergy, particularly with Mbappe, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer. "His adaptation period is over, and today, he has shown what he is capable of," Ancelotti remarked after the match.
The thrilling encounter kicked off with Mbappe finding the net just ten minutes in, demonstrating his intrinsic ability to change the pace of the game. Controlled sequence play saw Rodrygo do well on the left side, allowing Mbappe to wrangle the ball and unleashed a powerful effort past Sevilla's goalkeeper, Alvaro Fernandez.
Just moments later, Federico Valverde doubled the advantage for Madrid with another sensational strike from over 30 yards out, leaving fans cheering. Rodrygo extended the lead to 3-0 at the 34th minute after great build-up play, but Sevilla refused to back down as Isaac Romero responded with a goal shortly after.
Despite Sevilla's effort to rally, Real Madrid's attacking pressure resumed with Brahim Diaz netting the fourth goal after receiving assistance from Mbappe. The match showcased some stunning goals but also notable defensive lapses from Sevilla, who remained static under Madrid’s ferocious offensive.
Ancelotti was quick to praise Mbappe's performance, stating: "Self-criticism has made us clear up what we were lacking, which was commitment. Mbappe has been self-critical and that's why he has got out of a situation which could have been complicated." This sentiment echoed throughout the squad following accusations of lacklustre performances earlier this season.
The second-half progression saw Sevilla try to inch back with attacking intent, including dangerous opportunities, but they struggled to break through Madrid's sturdy defense anchored by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who made brilliant saves to maintain Madrid's lead.
Sevilla managed to pull back one more goal thanks to Dodi Lukebakio only five minutes before the match concluded. Yet, it wasn’t enough to sway the game away from Madrid, who closed out the match to seal their place firmly within the league’s top ranks.
The match stood as not merely statistical importance but also emotional resonance, especially for Sevilla's veteran defender Jesus Navas, who played his last game after 705 appearances for the club. The fans offered him homage with emotional applause leading to the final whistle as his career reached its milestone conclusion.
Looking beyond this game, the La Liga table now finds Atletico Madrid at the forefront, three points clear of Real Madrid and four above Barcelona, who faltered unexpectedly.
This season continues to promise more excitement as the teams jostle for position leading up to the new year. With Kylian Mbappe finding his pace, Real Madrid’s hopes soar for reclaiming top position, even as they face challenges from Atletico's relentless pursuit.
Every match day demonstrates the furious venture for points, making it evident why La Liga remains among the top leagues to follow globally. Fans can anticipate thrilling football as each team continues to vie for superiority, with individual player performances making significant impacts along the way.
