Real Madrid kept the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Jose Mourinho’s side continued their preparations for a crucial week that includes a Champions League fixture and next Sunday’s clásico.
Madrid are six points behind Barcelona, who have won their first nine league games of the season. The meeting between the Spanish rivals at the Spotify Camp Nou on 25 October could prove important in the early title race, but Madrid must first face RB Leipzig in Europe on Wednesday.
The victory over Sevilla followed Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 comeback against Jose Mourinho’s former club Roma in the Champions League. They have now recorded another convincing result despite being without Vinicius Junior, who began a four-match suspension after pulling the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba last weekend.
Arda Guler opened the scoring in the 30th minute with an excellent finish. The midfielder curled the ball into the net to reward Madrid’s growing control of the contest and give the hosts an advantage.
Mbappe extended the lead seven minutes later. Madrid worked the ball forward through a well-built team move, and the France striker rounded Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos before calmly finishing to make it 2-0.
Sevilla struggled to contain Madrid’s attack but showed signs of life after the break. Felix Correia came close to reducing the deficit when his volley bounced off the ground and narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Madrid regained control before long and Mbappe put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot. The forward was brought down inside the area and chose a Panenka finish, chipping the ball into the net to register his second goal of the afternoon.
The penalty took Mbappe’s tally to 11 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions this season. His form has given Madrid a reliable source of goals as they attempt to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of the table.
Sevilla managed a consolation goal late in the game through Manu Bueno, who curled a neat finish into the bottom corner. However, Madrid quickly restored their three-goal advantage when Yan Diomande struck to complete the scoring at 4-1.
