Real Madrid eased the pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso by claiming a third win in the space of a week, as they beat Sevilla 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga. The result extends Sevilla’s long wait for an away victory at the stadium, where they have now failed to win in last 19 games.
Coming off a thrilling 2-3 Copa del Rey victory in midweek, Madrid carried momentum into the contest, knowing that scoring first would be crucial given their perfect league record when opening the scoring this season.
Both sides had early chances to do just that inside the opening seven minutes. Rodrygo split the Sevilla defence with a clever pass, but Fran García was denied by Odysseas Vlachodimos, while at the other end Isaac Romero lifted the ball over Thibaut Courtois, only to see it drift narrowly wide.
Sevilla were bold in their approach and pressed high, forcing Madrid to stay alert. However, the hosts gradually grew into the game, with Kylian Mbappé firing across goal from a tight angle before Dean Huijsen headed over from a corner. Just as it looked like Sevilla would reach half-time level, Madrid struck.
Rodrygo delivered a teasing free-kick from the right, and Jude Bellingham timed his run perfectly to rise above everyone and head home in the 38th minute. Former Barcelona forward Alexis Sánchez nearly responded in spectacular fashion just before the break, but his overhead kick landed on the roof of the net.
Mbappé came out after the interval determined to settle the contest, yet frustration followed him early in the second half. Twice he fired straight at Vlachodimos from promising positions, before dragging another effort narrowly wide and seeing a header tipped onto the crossbar. Sevilla remained a threat too, with Courtois producing important saves to deny Sánchez and Romero as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
The game shifted decisively in Madrid’s favour midway through the half when Marcão was sent off for a second bookable offence after a reckless challenge on Bellingham. Sevilla reshuffled, and Vlachodimos was again called into action to push a powerful Rodrygo strike onto the bar, keeping his side alive.
During the game, Real Madrid shared via its official X handle, exclusive highlights showing Jude Bellingham celebrating with his teammates after giving Real Madrid the lead tonight. They posted:
That resistance was finally broken five minutes from time. Rodrygo was fouled in the area by Juanlu Sánchez, and Mbappé stepped up to calmly convert the penalty for his 18th league goal of the season. A second spot-kick was later overturned by VAR, but it mattered little as Madrid saw out the closing stages comfortably.
Before this run of results, Softfootball had reported Alonso’s rallying message following Real Madrid’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City, with the coach insisting that he and his players were “in this together” as they searched for the right response. Three straight victories since then suggest that message has landed, as Madrid continue to build momentum at a crucial stage of the season.
