Real Madrid thrash Sevilla 4-1 to regain confidence ahead of El Clasico
Real Madrid warmed up superbly for next week's El Clasico, beating Sevilla 4-1 at the Bernabeu with a brace from Kylian Mbappe. The big win restored the Madrid club's confidence ahead of facing arch-rivals Barcelona.
Real went ahead on the half-hour mark through a curling shot from Arda Guler. The goal, from his bent effort, gave the hosts early control of the match.
Seven minutes later the lead was doubled. Kylian Mbappe scored from a team move, and Real held the reins of the match with a 2-0 lead before half-time.
After the break the hosts extended their lead with a Panenka penalty. Mbappe's penalty completed his brace and made the margin 3-0.
Manu Bueno scored a consolation goal for Sevilla. But that goal could not change the shape of the match; Real's dominance was by then established.
Late on, a goal from Yan Diomande confirmed Real's big win. His goal made the scoreline 4-1 and gave the Bernabeu crowd a complete evening.
Behind this win there is also continuity of recent form. After a 4-3 comeback win in the Champions League against Jose Mourinho's former club, this big victory before facing Barca has brought extra relief to the Real camp.
Notably, Real won this one-sided contest without an important player. Vinicius Junior, banned for four matches for pulling the hair of Villarreal's Nathan Saliba last week, was absent from this match. Even without him, the attack scored four goals.
A busy schedule lies ahead. Before travelling to the Nou Camp on Sunday, Mourinho's team will play a Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Wednesday. Keeping the rhythm found against Sevilla is now their main task.
Real have also improved in the standings. With 21 points from nine matches they have risen to third in the La Liga table, with Real Betis falling behind them.
However, the gap to leaders Barcelona is still six points. Barca have won all nine of their matches. So the El Clasico at the Nou Camp is not only a battle of prestige, but also a big opportunity for Real to cut the gap in the title race.
