Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla: Former Tottenham stars steal the show as Erik Lamela’s equalizer nullifies Luka Modric before two goals in two minutes from Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde add up the points for Los Blancos and keep the fight going for the LaLiga title
Real Madrid continues to fight for the LaLiga title with a crucial victory over Sevilla
Luka Modric opens the scoring with a simple shot in the 5th minute of the match
In the 54th minute Erik Lamela shot from a tight angle to equalize.
Lucas Vázquez scored the victory for Madrid in the 79th minute of the match
Federico Valverde closed the result by scoring two minutes later for Madrid
Madrid remains in first place ahead of Barcelona while Sevilla remains in 14th
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Last week Toni Kroos called him ‘among the three best in the world’ and Fede Valverde recalled why, with a sensational shot from distance to seal Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Sevilla.
Fede Express returned to deliver on time eight minutes from time to send an unstoppable shot past Sevilla goalkeeper Bono and finally finished off the defiant Sevilla. He limped late after a clash with Papu Gomez, but that was the only bad news on a night in which Madrid overcame a mini comeback from Sevilla to earn another impressive win.
They put the family treasure on display before kick-off with Thibaut Courtois handing over his Yashin trophy recently won by Iker Casillas, and Zinedine Zidane also came out in the pouring rain to present Karim Benzema with his Ballon d’Or.
Karim Benzema with the Ballon d’Or and Thibaut Courtois with the Yashin Trophy
Benzema followed Zidane and Casillas under cover to watch the match; a muscular problem prevented the striker from being in danger.
Madrid took the lead after five minutes when the electric Vinicius burst down the left and into the box before slipping a pass through a crowded box to Luka Modric, who scored from close range.
Ferenc Puskas scored once for Madrid at 38 years and 233 days, and Alfredo di Stefano managed it at 37 years and 255 days: Modric had become the club’s third-oldest goalscorer just 43 days after turning 37. years.
Luka Modric scored in the 5th minute of the match, his second in LaLiga this season
Madrid were in control for the rest of the first half and Sevilla didn’t really cause Courtois any trouble, but things changed after the break.
In the 55th minute, Sevilla was tied and it was two touches with the outside of the foot that brought the goal. First Gonzalo Montiel executed an outside pass that split the Madrid defense and Eric Lamela ran towards him and, from the tightest angles, and with the outside of his left foot, sent his shot over Courtois.
Isco volleyed into the side of the net after Jesús Navas crossed from the right as Sevilla looked to take advantage of the equalizer. Lamela then curved a shot wide. Madrid were rocking on their heels after being in control.
Erik Lamela scored a great equalizer for Sevilla by squeezing the ball in from a tight angle
Lucas Vázquez restored Madrid’s advantage against Sevilla in the 79th minute of the game
The problem with trying to beat Madrid is that you beat the team on the pitch and then you have to beat the bench. In the 77th minute Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez came on for Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal and two minutes later they combined to score.
Vinicius’ disinterest was also key. Asensio played the pass to the Brazilian and was able to finish off himself but instead he squared the ball to Lucas who scored the 2-1.
And two minutes later the contest ended when Valverde let fly leaving Bono in the Sevilla goal without praying.
Madrid had been shaken and sprang into action, finding another gear to take all three points and extend their lead at the top. The only black cloud for Madrid – apart from those that had drenched the pitch before kick-off – was the sight of him limping at the final whistle: he is the last man they, and Uruguay, need to lose at the moment.
Federico Valverde closed the victory by scoring the team’s third in the 81st minute