Arda Güler was a central figure in the opening 45th minute as Real Madrid went 2-0 up at half-time with a 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Turkish midfielder should have been sent off for elbowing Peque Fernandez, but referee Mateo Busquets was ruled out by Ferrer and VAR and made the most of his fortune by firing his side on the half-hour mark.
Kilian Mbappe doubled the lead of Madrid 7 minutes later and put Jose Mourinho’s men under complete control.
Madrid’s quick-fire goals came as a surprise after a tense and composed opening 30 minutes.
After Robbie Ure’s first-time header was saved by Thibaut Courtois, Madrid applied some pressure themselves but were limited to half-chances that saw Mbappe shoot wide and Endrick’s effort blocked by Lucien Agoume.
Jan Diomande replaced the suspended Vinicius Jr on the left wing and after 12 minutes, the Ivorian’s dance almost resulted in a goal, but the former RB Leipzig player sent his shot into the side netting.
Sevilla came closest after 18 minutes when Ruben Vargas turned and fired inches wide from the upright.
Diomande came close again before the main flashpoint of the half. Peque elbowed Sevilla to break free, pulling Güler’s shirt with the Madrid midfielder.
Dean Huijsen and Sevilla captain Felix Correira were punished for their roles in the ensuing fight, but no action was taken against Guler.
Much to Sevilla’s chagrin, Guler then latched on to Diomande’s perfect pass to head Odysseas Vlachodimos’ left-footed shot into the far corner.
Mbappe almost made it 2-0 four minutes later, but the French striker netted after 37 minutes. Diomande and Jude Bellingham created opportunities, but Mbappe still had a lot to do and he did it beautifully, dribbled past a defender and past Vlachodimos into an empty net.
Mbappe has now been involved in five goals in five La Liga games with Sevilla – four goals and one assist.
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS
Mourinho made three changes to the side that won in Rome, with Federico Valverde dropping to the back four and Guler taking his place in midfield.
Endrik replaced the suspended Vinicius Jr. in the main squad.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Conate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouameni, Güler, Bellingham; Diomande, Endrik, Mbappe
Real Madrid substitutes: Monday, Navarro, Militao, Camavinga, Alexander-Arnold, Carreras, Espi, Silva, Diaz, Rudiger, Dumfries, Thiago
SEVILLE TEAM NEWS
Seville: Odysseas; Iglesias, Justin, Salas, Suazo, Agouti, Fofana, Vargas, Felix, Peque, Ure
Sevilla Subs: Gonzalez, Rosemary, Diaz, Alfon, Sangante, Bueno, Cardoso, Stassin, Ejuke, Carmona, Quillen, Cruz
Where to watch Real Madrid vs Sevilla: TV and online broadcasts
“Real Madrid” – “Sevilla” game will start on Sunday, October 18, at Santiago Bernabeu at 20:00 Baku time (21:00 local time).
In the UK you can watch it on Premier Sports and stream it on Premier Sports Player.
The latest form and statistics of the Real Madrid – Sevilla match
- Madrid club has won its last 4 home games in La Liga.
- “Sevilla” is in fifth place with 14 points (W4 D2 L2), 4 points behind Madrid.
- Sevilla are unbeaten away from home in La Liga this season (2D 2D), their best away start since 2011-12.
- Robbie Ure, Felix Correia and Isaac Romero scored as Sevilla drew 3-3 at Levante on Monday.
- Sevilla have lost 13 of their last 15 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
- Sevilla’s last La Liga victory at the Bernabeu was in December 2008.