Real Madrid emerged 2-0 winners against Sevilla

Real Madrid secured a clinical 2-0 victory over Sevilla on Saturday evening, ensuring Xabi Alonso’s men ended the calendar year with maximum points at the Estadio Bernabéu. The win keeps the pressure firmly on league leaders Barcelona, moving Los Blancos to within a single point of the summit.

The deadlock was broken just before the interval when Jude Bellingham expertly glanced a curling Rodrygo free-kick into the top corner. Despite the narrow lead, Madrid’s task was made considerably easier in the 68th minute after Sevilla’s Marcão was shown a straight red card.

Kylian Mbappé provided the historic finishing touch, converting a late penalty to double the advantage and seal the result. The strike was a landmark moment for the Frenchman, who equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s staggering record of 59 goals in a single calendar year.

While Sevilla created fleeting opportunities, their ninth defeat of the season leaves them stagnant in mid-table, five points adrift of the European places. Real Madrid, meanwhile, heads into the winter break with significant momentum and a superstar striker operating at the peak of his powers.