Real Madrid closed 2025 with another lackluster minimal victory, this time against Sevilla at the Bernabéu (1-0), a result that allows Xabi Alonso's team to get within 1 point of FC Barcelona, momentarily. Hansi Flick's team, leaders in LaLiga, visit Villarreal on Sunday (16:15 CEST) on matchday 17.
A goal by Jude Bellingham in the 38th minute, with a header, tipped the scales in favor of the 'merengues' in the first half against a Sevilla side that finished the match with ten men. The expulsion of Marcao in the second half left the Andalusians without the physical stamina to at least draw a match that was quite even from start to finish.
Bellingham rescued a Madrid side lacking ideas in the first half
Real Madrid's first few minutes were disastrous in defense. Dean Huijsen was easily beaten on several occasions by Isaac Romero, who in the 7th minute shot wide in a one-on-one against Courtois. The whistles from the stands were increasingly eloquent against a team that was asleep at the back and lacking ideas in midfield.
Rodrygo and Fran García tried to create danger down the flanks, while Vinicius, playing as a '9', and Kylian Mbappé, positioned on the left, played an almost testimonial role on the field. It wasn't until the 39th minute, after a free kick from Arda Güler on the side, that Jude Bellingham managed to open the scoring with a powerful header.
Sevilla was superior for long stretches before halftime, but neither Alexis Sánchez nor Isaac Romero were sharp in the opponent's box. Coach Matías Almeyda was sent off at halftime for arguing with referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, who could have sent off Rodrygo in the first 45 minutes for simulating a penalty and stepping on Marcao.
Marcao's Expulsion Doomed Sevilla in the Second Half
Madrid suffered the first ten minutes of the second half, but Courtois, with two saving parries, kept the score at zero after stopping two very dangerous shots from Romero and Sánchez. Sevilla was reaching the goal with ease down the wings, but little by little they gave up more space at the back after pushing for the equalizer.
Mbappé warned with a header that hit the post in the 58th minute and, ten minutes later, **Marcao was sent off with a second yellow card after a mistimed tackle on Bellingham**. Despite being a man down, the Sevillians posed a threat in the final stretch. In the 79th minute, Juanlu claimed a penalty from Fran García, but Muñiz Ruiz deemed the defender's contact to be very slight.
Six minutes later, **Juanlu himself brought down** **Rodrygo** in the box and, this time, there was no doubt in awarding the penalty. Mbappé took charge of the kick, fooling Vlachodimos with a sharp right-footed shot. In the final minutes, there were two more penalties for the Whites, which were overturned by VAR.In the end, the score was 2-0 for a Real Madrid that is still far from playing well, but **reaches 42 points to put pressure on Barcelona**. The Catalans must win at La Cerámica to close out 2025 with a 4-point lead. Sevilla, for its part, remains in ninth place in the standings with 20 units.
Match report: Real Madrid CF 2-0 Sevilla FC
- Real Madrid CF, 2: Courtois; Asencio (Jiménez, min. 90+4), Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García; Arda Güler (Camavinga, min. 72), Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinicius (Gonzalo, min. 82).
- Sevilla FC, 0: Vlachodimos; Juanlu, Carmona (Salas, min. 84), Gudelj, Marcao, Suazo (Oso, min. 60); Agoumé (Januzaj, min. 84), Mendy (Alfon, min. 84), Sow; Alexis, Isaac Romero (Fernández, min. 70).
- Goals: 1-0, Jude Bellingham (min. 38); 2-0, Kylian Mbappé (min. 86).
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Refferee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz.
He booked Raúl Asensio and Rodrygo for Real Madrid. He cautioned Marcao, Sow, Carmona, and Agoumé for Sevilla. He sent off Marcao for a second yellow card in the second half. He failed to show Rodrygo a second yellow card before halftime. He awarded a penalty for a foul by Jualu on Rodrygo in the second half. Towards the end, he overturned two nonexistent penalties awarded to Real Madrid thanks to VAR. He sent off Sevilla's coach, Matías Almeyda, for protesting.
- Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu de Madrid.
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Incidents:match corresponding to matchday 17 of
LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.