Spanish champions Real Madrid claimed a thumping 4-2 victory over La Liga rivals Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in their final match of 2024 on Sunday afternoon, 22nd December.
The victory took their tally to 40 points after 18 rounds of fixtures, bringing them within a point of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid. Barcelona, who had enjoyed a blistering start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning 11 of their first 12 matches, dropped to third place. They have 38 points to their name after playing one game more than the Madrid duo.
Real Madrid Score 4 World-Class Goals to Beat Sevilla
Carlo Ancelotti did not have the services of The Best FIFA Men’s Player, Vinicius Jr., on Sunday, as he was suspended due to an accumulation of cards. Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo formed the front three in his absence, and they ensured Madridistas did not miss their No. 7. Mbappe opened the scoring for Real Madrid 10 minutes into the game, finding the back of the net with a piledriver of a shot from the edge of the D. The goalkeeper, despite stretching every fibre of his being, could not get to it.
MBAPPE WITH AN UNREAL STRIKE!! WOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/k4XkZVQPC6
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 22, 2024
Ten minutes later, Federico Valverde got in on the action, scoring a magnificent goal from well over 30 yards. The Uruguayan, who has a knack for scoring outside-the-box stunners, converted from an xG of 0.01. It was his fifth long-range goal of the season. No player across the top five European leagues has been more clinical from outside the area.
In the 34th minute, Rodrygo tripled Real Madrid’s advantage, finishing off a rapid counter-attack. Carrying the ball through the middle, Brahim Diaz squared it to his captain, Lucas Vazquez down the right flank. The right-back pulled the ball back for Rodrygo, who applied a confident finish.
Immediately after conceding the third goal, Sevilla found the netting, with Isaac Romero heading in Juanlu Sanchez’s inch-perfect cross from the right. The goal, however, did not mark the beginning of a turnaround, as Diaz clinically added Real Madrid’s fourth goal in the 53rd minute.
Vazquez squared the ball to Mbappe at the edge of the D, and the Frenchman very cheekily lobbed it into Diaz’s path inside the box. The Moroccan then side-footed it into the back of the net.
Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla in the 85th minute, but it was merely a consolation at that point.
Kylian Mbappe Was the Man of the Match on La Liga Matchday 18
Leading the attack in Vinicius Jr.’s absence, Mbappe delivered a performance to write home about. He opened the night with an absolute stunner, tormented defenders with his pace, linked up flawlessly with teammates, and superbly set up Diaz for Real Madrid’s fourth goal of the night.
Throughout the game, the 26-year-old created five chances and two big chances. He also delivered three accurate long balls, attempted three dribbles, had 11 touches inside the opposition box, and made two recoveries. Coach Carlo Ancelotti will need him to pick up right where he left off when Real Madrid return to La Liga action with a clash against Valencia on 3rd January.
