Mbappé, Bellingham give Real Madrid 2-0 win over nine-man Sevilla
Sevilla vs Real Madrid
On a balmy Sunday evening at Sevilla’s Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resilient but ultimately depleted Sevilla side, with late goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham sealing the result. The match, while lacking the high stakes of a title-deciding encounter due to Barcelona’s earlier coronation as LaLiga champions, was a compelling display of Real Madrid’s depth and determination, even in the absence of key starters like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. Sevilla, meanwhile, faced an uphill battle after being reduced to nine men following straight red cards to Loïc Badé and Isaac Romero, a numerical disadvantage that shaped the contest’s narrative. For Real Madrid, the win was a testament to their professionalism and their unwavering commitment to honoring the club’s storied crest, as articulated by midfielder Federico Valverde, who noted the importance of defending the shirt regardless of the circumstances. The victory, while not altering the title race, kept Real Madrid’s momentum intact as they head into the final weekend of the season, with their sights already turning to the challenges of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign.
The match began with an early flashpoint that set the tone for Sevilla’s challenging evening. Just 11 minutes in, Sevilla’s French defender Loïc Badé was shown a straight red card for a cynical foul on Kylian Mbappé, who was bursting through on a quick counter-attack. The referee deemed the challenge a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Badé’s dismissal left Sevilla with 10 men for the vast majority of the game. The decision sparked heated protests from the home crowd, who felt the call was harsh, but it undeniably shifted the balance in Real Madrid’s favor. With a man advantage, Real Madrid assumed control of possession, their intricate passing and relentless probing seeking to exploit the gaps in Sevilla’s reorganized defense. However, despite their dominance, clear-cut chances were surprisingly scarce in the first half. Mbappé, the focal point of Real’s attack, squandered a golden opportunity when he fired wide from a promising position, while young Brazilian forward Endrick, deputizing for the absent Vinícius and Rodrygo, also failed to convert a close-range effort. Sevilla’s goalkeeper and backline, despite the numerical deficit, held firm, their disciplined shape and desperate defending frustrating Real’s attacking ambitions. The first half ended goalless, with Real Madrid’s players visibly frustrated at their inability to translate possession into tangible rewards, while Sevilla drew confidence from their resilience, buoyed by the passionate support of their home fans.
The second half brought an immediate escalation in drama, as Sevilla’s hopes of holding out for a result were dealt a catastrophic blow just three minutes after the restart. Halftime substitute Isaac Romero, brought on to inject fresh energy, was sent off with a straight red card for a reckless studs-up tackle on Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni. The challenge, high and dangerous, left the referee with little choice, and Sevilla were reduced to nine men, facing an almost insurmountable task against one of Europe’s most formidable sides. The dismissal shifted the game’s dynamic decisively, with Real Madrid now enjoying not only a numerical advantage but also a psychological edge. Yet, Sevilla’s resolve remained intact, their players throwing themselves into every challenge and their goalkeeper producing a string of saves to keep the scoreline level. Real Madrid, for their part, continued to dominate but struggled with their final ball, their attacks often breaking down at the crucial moment. The breakthrough seemed elusive, and as the game entered its final 20 minutes, there was a growing sense that Sevilla might defy the odds to secure a hard-earned point. That notion was dispelled in the 70th minute when Mbappé, who had earlier struck the crossbar with a venomous shot, finally broke the deadlock. Receiving the ball just outside the box, he took a touch to set himself before unleashing a low, precise strike that arrowed just inside the right post, leaving Sevilla’s goalkeeper with no chance. The goal, Mbappé’s 29th in LaLiga during his debut season with Real Madrid, underscored his status as one of the world’s premier forwards and brought him within touching distance of the league’s top scorer award, four goals ahead of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
With the deadlock broken, Real Madrid sensed an opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, their confidence surging as Sevilla’s nine men began to tire. The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute, when 21-year-old Real Madrid academy product Gonzalo García delivered a moment of brilliance. Bursting down the right flank, García whipped in a pinpoint cross that found Jude Bellingham unmarked at the back post. The English midfielder, whose composure and goal-scoring instincts have made him a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s midfield, tapped in from close range to secure a 2-0 lead. The goal was a fitting reward for Bellingham’s tireless performance and a testament to the club’s faith in their youth system, with García’s contribution highlighting the depth of talent emerging from La Fabrica. The final whistle confirmed Real Madrid’s victory, a result that reflected their persistence and ability to capitalize on their opponents’ misfortune. Federico Valverde, speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, captured the sentiment in the dressing room: “We played a great match, and it was everyone’s job. It was a strange atmosphere, playing with Barcelona already having clinched the title, but in this club, you always put everything on the line, and despite today we didn’t have much at stake, we always have to defend this shirt.” His words encapsulated the ethos of Real Madrid, a club where pride and performance are non-negotiable, even in the shadow of a secured title race.
For Sevilla, the defeat was a bitter pill, their valiant effort undone by ill-discipline and the sheer quality of their opponents. The red cards to Badé and Romero were pivotal, transforming a competitive contest into a one-sided affair and exposing the fine margins that define matches at this level. Despite the loss, Sevilla’s performance, particularly in the first half, offered glimpses of their potential, with their defensive organization and occasional forays forward suggesting a team capable of challenging LaLiga’s elite on their day. The result left them outside the European qualification places, but with one game remaining, their focus will be on finishing the season strongly and building momentum for the next campaign. For Real Madrid, the victory was a professional job well done, their ability to secure three points despite missing key players a testament to their squad depth and championship mentality. Mbappé’s continued scoring form, Bellingham’s knack for decisive contributions, and the emergence of young talents like García and Endrick bode well for the future, even as the club prepares for a transitional phase following Barcelona’s title triumph.
As LaLiga approaches its final weekend, the standings reflect a fiercely contested season. Barcelona, with 85 points, stand as champions, their four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid (81 points) a reward for their consistency and attacking prowess. Atlético Madrid, with 73 points, have secured third, while Athletic Bilbao (70 points) and Villarreal (67 points) complete the top five, earning berths in the 2025-26 Champions League. For Real Madrid, the focus now shifts to the final match and the opportunity to end the season on a high, while their long-term sights are set on reclaiming domestic and European supremacy. The victory over Sevilla, while not altering the title race, was a reminder of the club’s enduring quality and their ability to rise to any challenge, even in the face of adversity. As the players left the pitch, the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium echoing with the cheers of the traveling Madridistas, there was a sense that this team, with its blend of youth and experience, is poised for greatness in the seasons to come. For now, though, the focus is on finishing the campaign with pride, defending the shirt, and laying the groundwork for the battles that lie ahead.
