Real Madrid 4-2 Sevilla: Kylian Mbappe stars as Liga champions enjoy big win in six-goal thriller

Kylian Mbappe scored his 10th Liga goal of the season in stunning fashion as Real Madrid returned to winning ways and moved into second place in the table with a 4-2 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Frenchman opened the scoring and gave Los Blancos the lead inside 10 minutes, with a stunning strike from outside the area finding the top corner, leaving Sevilla goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez with no chance to save it.

Madrid doubled their lead 10 minutes later with another rocket of a strike, this time from Federico Valverde who fired from 30 yards. Rodrigo made it three in the 34th minute as he completed a superb team move to score his third goal in as many games.

The visitors got back into the game just before half-time when Isaac Romero headed home Juanlu Sanchez’s cross seconds after Madrid’s third.

But that hope died after half-time when a neat team move controlled by Mbappe saw the Frenchman put the ball on a plate for Brahim Diaz to slot home.

The 75,000-plus crowd rose to their feet in the 65th minute as 39-year-old Jesus Navas entered the field for the final time in his career and was handed the captain’s armband, with the Sevilla legend retiring at the final whistle. .

Sevilla scored their second goal of the game in the closing stages of the second half when a lovely through ball from Peque Fernandez found Dodi Luquebaccio, who curled his shot past Thibaut Courtois.

La Liga now takes a two-week break with Madrid next at home against Valencia on Friday 3 January 2025, while Sevilla are in the Copa de Rey against Almeria on 4 January.

While it was a masterclass from Real Madrid, aside from some sloppy moments and lapses in concentration, the main talking point deserves to focus on the 39-year-old veteran taking to the pitch for the last time in his career.

Sevilla boss Garcia Pimienda said in his pre-match press conference that he expected the reception to be “spectacular” and in front of 75,000 people, Navas received a hero’s welcome, with a guard of honor and a standing ovation during the substitution of. .

Making his 705th and final appearance, Navas, who made 123 appearances for Manchester City between 2013-2017, bid farewell to a legendary career spanning more than 20 years, most notably with Sevilla.

It wasn’t often that Kylian Mbappe looked like he was enjoying playing and while he showed annoyance that he didn’t grab his second or third game, he was excellent and had moments of pure quality.

While we were denied the attacking power of Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, with Vinicius having to serve a penalty, we were given hints of what to expect as Mbappe finds form.

Real Madrid: Courtois 6, Vazquez 8, Tchouameni 7, Rudiger 7, Camavinga 7, Ceballos 7, Valverde 7, Diaz 7, Bellingham 7, Rodrygo 7, Mbappe 8 Subs: Asensio 6, Arda Guler 6, Modric 6

Seville: Fernandez 7, Gudelj 5, Bade 6, Salas 6, Carmona 5, Romero 7, Lokonga 5, Agoume 6, Sanchez 6, Idumbo 6, Lukebakio 6 Subs: Montiel 6, Pascual 6, Bueno 6, Peque 6, Navas 6

10′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 SEVILLE (BAPE 10′) This is beautiful from Kylian Mbappe. It’s a quick attack from Real Madrid. Rodrygo and Diaz link up on the left and pass to Mbappe, who is just outside the box. He fires it into the top corner and Fernandez has no chance of saving it.

20′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 SEVILLE (VALVERDE 20′) WOW, WOW, WOW. A corner is flicked in and finds Federico Valverde outside the box and it’s amazing as he finds the net. You’ll want to watch it back.

34′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-0 SEVILLE (RODRIGO 34′) And it came moments after Rudiger put away a chance for Sevilla, Real Madrid went down the other end and scored after a well-worked team move. It’s an excellent finish from Rodrigo and it’s his third goal in as many games.

35′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-1 SEVILLE (ROMERO 35′) Who had this on the cards? Seconds after the restart, Sevilla attack down the right and it’s a brilliant cross from Juanlu Sanchez that Isaac Romeo heads home.

53′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 4-1 SEVILLE (DIAZ 53′) It’s another great goal as Real Madrid get their fourth of the afternoon. Mbappe plays Sevilla on the outside of the box, finds Vazquez on the right and plays it back to Mbappe and the Frenchman lays it on a plate for Brahim Diaz, who takes it well.

65′ CHANGE FOR SEVILLE Here he comes one last time. He takes the armband as he replaces Ibumbo and the whole stadium is at his feet. It may not have been the circumstances he would have liked to have arrived, but what a moment for Jesus Navas to remember.

85′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 4-2 SEVILLE (LUKEMBAKIO 85′) Sevilla got another goal. A great ball from Peque Fernandez finds Dodi Lukebakio, who runs into the box and pushes the ball past Courtois.