Real Madrid continued their impressive momentum with another victory. Th White Team needed late goals from substitute Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde to sink Sevilla 3-1 in LaLiga Santander on Saturday. Ancelotti's team, who remain unbeaten since the start of the campaign, cemented their place at the LaLiga summit with a tenth victory in domestic competition, set in motion by Luka Modrić just six minutes into the game. The visitors struck back in the second half but our team reacted well, through Lucas Vázquez and another spectacular Fede Valverde strike made sure. Vini Jr. delivered a dazzling display, setting up both of the first two goals.
Santiago Bernabéu witnessed some beautiful moments the prior to kick-off. First, there were Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois who shared their Ballon d'Or and Yashin Trophy with their beloved fans. The two players presented the awards they won at the gala held in Paris on Monday. Then, it was a great gesture of respect as minute's silence was held in memory of José Manuel Llaneza, vice-president of Villarreal C. F, who passed away on 20 October at 74 years of age.
It wasn't long at all before our team got off the mark. With only six minutes gone, Vini Jr. robbed Montiel, darted into the box and produced a perfect assist for Modrić, who gratefully rolled the ball into the back of the net with a tap in. The goal didn't alter the LaLiga leaders' approach though and they soon enjoyed another fine chance to double their lead when David Alaba's freekick whistled inches over Bono's crossbar on 19'. After that, it was Vinicius' who had a decent shot from the edge blocked.
Our boys continued to dominate proceedings and had two very presentable chances to double their advantage in the closing stages of the first half. The first of these came on 40 minutes, when Rodrygo put Modrić through one-on-one against Bono. The Croatian cut inside and was just about to pull the trigger when Telles got back to poke the ball behind for a corner. Four minutes later, it was Vini Jr.’s turn to find himself clean through with just the goalkeeper to beat, but the ball ran away from him as he cut inside.
After the restart, things took a turn for the worse when Erik Lamela fired Sevilla level on 54’ with what was the visitors’ first sight of goal. Montiel played a defence-splitting pass for Lamela, who finished his run by firing past Thibaut Courtois. With 65 minutes gone Camavinga came on for Tchouameni to give the team some fresh legs. The leaders would have to produce a response and very nearly did so with 72 minutes on the clock in a move in which Vini Jr. skipped beyond Bono, but was only able to find the side netting from the tightest of angles.
Five minutes later it was time for more changes. Ancelotti sent off Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric to replace them with Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio. Rudiger placed himself in the center of defense as Alaba moved at the left side of the defense in order to start more attacking plays. Valverde retreated a bit while Asensio occupied his place and with the help of the fresh legs of Vasquez who just replaced Carvajal completed a series of substitutions that actually gave Real Madrid what really was needed: more energy and strength.
The clock continued to tick down and Madrid duly regained their lead following a sensational counter-attack. The move was started by Rodrygo, who found Valverde, before Asensio stepped things up a gear and picked out Vini Jr.’s run and the Brazilian claimed his second assist of the night as he left Lucas Vázquez with the simplest of tasks to tap home on 79’.
Just two minutes later and buoyed by that second goal, Madrid further extended their advantage. After a pass from Asensio, Valverde unleashed an unstoppable right-footed effort from range that means that he has now been on target in each of his last three outings and moves top of the Madridistas' scoring charts in LaLiga. Nothing to do for Sevilla in the remaining minutes as Real Madrid secured their 1st place.
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